PEACOCK BASS SPECIES
InterAngler's
Amazon Gamefish overview - A compendium
of scientific and angling information for the
fishing enthusiast. (Copy rights reserved by Interangler) |
|||||||||||||||||
From
an evolutionary standpoint, Amazonian fish
species come from an ancient line of groups
that were already established nearly 60 million
years ago (they have changed little since that
time). The
most commonly accepted theory regarding the
existence of most Amazon species is that their
precursors evolved during a period when what
is now South America, Africa, southern Asia
and Australia were a single continent called
Gondwanaland. Upon the separation of
these continents, these mutual ancestors then
evolved independently. Today, although
the remnant of this relationship between the
Amazonian, African and Australian fish remains
evident, their modern descendents have speciated
into thousands of endemic varieties. The majority of Amazonian gamefish belong to only three large groups (Families): the catfish, characins (freshwater dorado for example) and cichlids (peacock bass). In addition to these are several other odd ball Families like the osteoglossidae (such as the immense pirarucú), as well as groups with salt-water origins such as the sardinata/apapá, a shad/herring/tarpon-like fish and the corvina, which is essentially a freshwater drum. The list of Amazonian freshwater gamefish is as extensive and exotic as the land itself. Depending upon the region there are as many as twenty different species that will take a fly or lure – all with fantastic names to match their peculiar appearances. |
The freshwater
Amazonian gamefish in this article, as
organized by ichthyologists, are all members
of the Class Osteichthyes or bony
fish. This group includes all freshwater
evolved fish and the majority of saltwater
species. fish of similar anatomical
characteristics within this differentiation,
are grouped in Orders. Within each
order, closely related fish are further
segregated into Families. The two-part
scientific name then specifies the Genus
and Species.
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Of all the
incredible gamefish in the Amazon basin, the
one that has received the most press is the
peacock bass. Their remarkable, explosive
topwater strike, combined with an astonishing
ability to break heavy lines/leaders and straighten
even stout saltwater hooks, makes them one
of the most sought after species in the Amazon
basin.
Peacock bass are not a true bass such as the largemouth and smallmouth bass (Micopterus Sp.) found in North American waters, but comprise a genus within the family Cichlidae. Cichlids are a diverse family of tropical fish found primarily throughout Africa, South America and southern Asia. Although all peacock bass species are highly temperature sensitive fish, some have been successfully introduced in tropical areas from Panama to Hawaii. The latest transplants (C. ocellaris and C. monoculus) are happily swimming in many of the major freshwater irrigation channels in Dade County, Florida. No permanent populations of the giant species, C. temensis have ever been successfully transplanted outside of the Amazon basin and Lake Guri. Although there are countless color variations throughout their range, there are only four currently recognized species of peacock bass, C. temensis, C. ocellaris, C. monoculus and C. nigrolineatus (there is a raging debate among ichthyologists and anglers on this topic). All species are commonly called tucunaré in Brazil and Peru, while other Spanish speaking South American countries use the term pavón. |
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
The ‘blue’ or ‘spotted’ tucunaré/pavón
(Cichla temensis), better known as ‘azul’ or ‘paca/pinta
lapa’ is the largest of the four species,
with an average weight of about 6-pounds. The
females (and especially females not old enough
to spawn) are so distinctly spotted with a
fawn pattern running laterally along their
back, that many people think they are separate
species. The name paca/pinta lapa comes
from a 40-pound spotted jungle rodent called
an agouti. As the males mature their
spots fade out or disappear altogether. They
also develop a distinct fatty lump on the top
of their head during breeding season (this
subsides after spawning). There is much
speculation as to the purpose of this growth. It
has been postulated that it is utilized as
a food source by the peacock’s fry for
several weeks after hatching. It is also
thought that the peacock’s lump may disperse
a chemical marker that keeps the young close
to the adult. In clear water, one often
sees tightly-packed clouds of peacock fry swarming
about the head of their protective father. If
a male is caught post-spawn, the growth on
the head is often rubbed raw, as if the young
have been nipping away at the swollen nodule. Body coloration and markings vary greatly. Whatever the color phase, this fish has an unmistakable mottled patch directly behind its eye. Three vertical black bars are usually visible (intensity varies from fish to fish) beginning just behind the pectoral fin and ending underneath the soft portion of the dorsal fin. Often, the previously mentioned lateral white spots are present, running along the top third of the fish's body. On rare occasions, there are neither black bars nor horizontal stripes/spots, however, the mottled patch directly behind the eye remains a distinct identifying characteristic. This species is found throughout the Brazilian, Venezuelan and Colombian Amazon. The largest specimens are caught in the Rio Negro tributaries of Brazil and Venezuela. |
All
of the specimens below and at left are Cichla
temensis, exhibiting their wide range
of color and pattern variability
|
||||||||||||||||
The
peacocks below were caught on the same river,
during one week. |
The "paca" marking
pattern.
![]() |
||||||||||||||||
The
black cheek markings provide a consistent
identifier for temensis. This
specimen is almost completely devoid of body
patterning. |
|||||||||||||||||
The butterfly tucunaré/pavón
(Cichla ocellaris) is the most numerous
and widespread species in the Amazon basin. This
smaller fish has several different color phases,
although hybridization is common. The
most common color phase has three black, oscelli,
or spots (about the size of a half dollar,
depending on the size of the fish) running
along its lateral line. Some 'butterflies'
have no distinct body markings at all, but
the absence of the black eye-patch clearly
distinguishes them from their larger cousins. Average
size for the butterfly peacock is about 3-pounds. The
largest ‘butterflies’ rarely exceed
8-pounds.
A third species, the ‘gray bar’ or ‘fire belly (Cichla monoculus)’ exhibits three black triangular-shaped markings along the back, with a distinct inkblot pattern above the belly. In the central Amazon, this fish does not commonly grow much over 3-pounds, but on the periphery of the basin (Brazil and Bolivia in particular), ‘gray bars’ can attain weightsexceeding 12 pound. ‘Gray bars’ are also found in Florida and Hawaii. The fourth species is the ‘royal’ tucunaré/pavón (Cichla nigrolineatus). This species is normally not found in Brazil, since it prefers fast water in a rocky habitat (it is most common in several Colombian and Venezuelan tributaries of the Orinoco River). The royal’s distinguishing features include a narrow, serrated, horizontal black ‘band’ that runs from just behind the gill plate, past the soft part of the dorsal fin (this ‘band’ is often broken up, but the fish's coloration remains quite distinctive from the 'butterfly.') Unlike the other three species, ‘royal’ peacocks prefer fast moving water and act very much like our smallmouth bass. ‘Royals’ reach a top weight of about 5-pounds. |
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Two
other “game” species of Cichlids
native to the Amazon basin are the oscar/palometa
real (now also common throughout the south
Florida canal system and commonly found in
Bolivia)) and the jacundá / mataguaro
(most common in Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia)
which is a smaller close cousin of the peacock
bass species in the genus Crenicichla. Oscar/palometa
real and jacundá / mataguaro reach
a maximum weight of about 6-pounds and aggressively
take the same black bass-sized lures and flies
mentioned above. Jacunda relate strongly
to structure and strike very powerfully. They
fight with strong, short runs and an intense,
bulldog-like style. On an ultralight
casting/spinning rod or 6- weight fly-rod and
floating line, both species are a hoot to catch. |
|
||||||||||||||||
Osteoglossiformes are
an extremely ancient order of prehistoric
freshwater fish. The arapaima, paiche
or pirarucú as it is known in Brazil,
is the largest wholly freshwater fish in
the world. Fish over 3 meters (almost
10 feet) and up to 275 kg (600 lbs) have
been recorded. Pirarucú look
like some sort of Jurassic tarpon, with a
similar profile save for their strange, club-shaped
tail. The pirarucú’s flesh
is much sought after throughout the Amazon
and for this reason, large specimens are
becoming rare.
|
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Freshwater
dorado (Salminus maxillosus and S. hilarii)
are a distinct migratory gamefish not to be
confused with the saltwater dolphin fish (which
is also called 'el dorado' in many Spanish-speaking
countries). Physically, the freshwater
dorado is best described as a prehistoric golden
trout or salmon with the jaws of a pit bull
terrier. Ichthyologists have appropriately
given the southern species of dorado the Latin
name, Salminus maxillosus. Salminus,
meaning trout-like, and maxillosus referring
to the fish's immensely-powerful jaws. Dorado
are hard-hitting, incredibly-strong, acrobatic
fighters that attain weights in excess of 30-pounds. They
are, in short, South America’s hyped-up
version of a ‘tropical trout.’ Dorado
are commonly found throughout a massive watershed
between southern Brazil/Bolivia and Northern
Argentina. Incredibly, freshwater dorados
remain a relatively little-known gamefish in
the United States. Conventional gear for big dorado is virtually the same as that mentioned in the trophy peacock bass section (a wire leader is essential). Dorado are usually not surface oriented fish, so 7-inch jerk baits, Rattle Trap-type lures, spoons and jigs are most productive. Dorado are fished with an 8-9-weight fly rod and either a 200-grain, 24-foot sink tip line or a full floating line depending upon water conditions. A heavy steel leader is a must, as these fish will chew through 100-pound like it is sewing thread! Dorado take a variety of streamers, sliders and even Atlantic salmon-style Bombers during ideal conditions (all on 3/0 heavy long shank hooks). Northern Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia have the strongest populations of dorado. The bocón or palambra/yatorana (Holobrycon pesu) is a close relative of the dorado. They are a migratory, fast water fish found throughout the Amazon basin. Bocón live and behave almost exactly like the dorado, but do not reach the latter’s size, so they can be fished on slightly lighter tackle. Bolivia has the best populations of these fish. Matrinchá (Brycon falcatus) are a very close cousin to the bocón (they look almost exactly alike). This fish has an affinity for small baitfish and terrestrial insects and can be taken on small spoons, jigs, and jerk baits or small streamers and ant and beetle imitations in fast water (just like trout fishing). The matrinchã’s range seems to be limited to the Brazilian Amazon. |
Part
of the order Cypriniformes. Unlike
their close relatives the minnows (Cyprinidae),
most characins have teeth. Characidae
comprise a large family of over 500 species
restricted to the tropics and subtropics
of Africa, South and Central America. Recently,
taxonomists have further divided the family
into 16 sub-families.
Characins include a wide range of species such as piranhas, tetras, copeinas, tigerfish, trairas and payara. Many of the most popular aquarium fish are characins. They are mostly egg-scatterers. Many species breed in group spawnings, leaving the eggs and young behind to fend for themselves.
|
||||||||||||||||
Yatorana, called bocón, in Colombia and Venezuela, jump and fight like dorado and run in schools, so once you’re into them the action is fast and furious.
|
|||||||||||||||||
Matrinchá are fierce fighters on light tackle. They strike baits at high speed and continue moving right through the drag. Within seconds they're out of the water and flying through the air.
|
|||||||||||||||||
Members
of the sub-family Colossoma of the Characidae, tambaqui
(Colossoma macroponum) are physically
built like a stocky permit or jack – think
of a trash can lid with fins. They
have a pleasant grey-blue back which fades
into a purple-brown shade near the belly of
the fish. An omnivorous distant relative
of the piranha, tambaqui have dazzling teeth
which look exactly like a set of human dentures. These
fish have amazing jaw strength as they often
feed on rock hard jungle seeds, and they can
crush a 4/0 saltwater hook as if it were made
of baling wire. A migratory fish, tambaqui reside in fast currents and are perfectly fit for such an environment. They have huge anal fins and extremely wide, thick tails. When hooked they use their powerful oval body against the current and make incredible heart stopping runs. With the force of the water added to their own power, they can be unstoppable even with the heaviest of terminal tackle. These fish are so strong that the locals fish for them with stout green saplings secured to 120-pound monofilament, heavy cable and 6/0 tuna hooks! One in three tambaqui will jump when hooked. To see such a huge fish throw itself out of the water is a spectacular sight. Until very recently tambaqui were not known to take flies or lures with any consistency, but for some reason the Bolivian strain are particularly aggressive and take flies and lures with abandon. Terminal tackle for these fish is the same as that used for big peacock bass, dorado and payara. Fifty pound-braid and an equally-stout wire leader are essential. Top lures include Blue Fox Vibrax spinners (#5), Yo Zuri Squid, bucktail jigs, and 5-inch jerk baits. If you really want to catch tambaqui, dead drift a sweet piece of jungle fruit on a 5/0 super stout live bait hook! Tambaqui should be fished with nothing less than a stout 9-weight fly rod as they tend to use the current to their advantage and make extremely powerful runs. These fish will take the same flies listed in the dorado section, including heavily-dressed 3/0 Cloussers and Muddlers (they seem to prefer blue for some strange reason). They also take “fruit flies,” which are nothing more than brightly-colored deer hair (yellow or bright orange are best) spun and clipped to look like an apricot. |
|
||||||||||||||||
Tambaqui, the largest
of all the characins, are creatures of the
Amazon's flooded forest. The pulsative
nature of Amazonia's lowland rivers creates
vast flooded forests during the region's
long rainy seasons. Rivers flood their
banks and inundate adjacent varzea (flooded)
forests. As though a dinner bell were
rung, the area's wildlife flocks to the new
border between land and water to feast on
a banquet of flowers and fruits Tambaqui are an integral part of the varzea's life cycle. Feeding on the bounty of fruits and nuts that drop into the water, they become an important mechanism for seed dispersal. Many jungle fruits contain an outer pulp and a hard inner seed(s). When small seeds are ingested they are not always crushed by the tambaqui's powerful jaws. Passing through the fish's digestive system, the seeds are scarified by the process and then excreted, often far from the parent tree. Later, when the waters recede, the prepared seed is able to sprout in the newly exposed land, far from where it dropped. When the varzea drains, well-fed tambaqui leave the small tributaries and form large migrating schools in the main rivers. Their large fat reserves, built up during the rainy season are used during their upriver journeys and ensuing spawning. It's believed that their eggs are dispersed in the grassy levees along the river. The dry season season provides slim pickings for tanbaqui who often turn to small fish and insects to help fill their empty stomachs. Tambaqui are an important food fish. They have recently begun to be raised by aquaculture techniques to meet the market demand. This bodes well for the preservation of natural populations. |
|||||||||||||||||
The pacú/morocoto
(Piaractus brachypomus) is a smaller
relative of the giant tambaqui. Morocoto
will take Rat-L-Traps, large grasshoppers and
dead drifted fruit. Fly casters should
use 2/0 Clousser Minnows and especially fruit-colored
Glo Bugs dead-drifted in trout/salmon fashion. There
are at least half a dozen other, smaller species
collectively called pacú in Brazil,
Venezuela and Colombia. One Brazilian
species takes a “bread fly” in
moving water like a trout sipping a dry fly. There are over a dozen species of piranha (Serrasalmus sp.) swimming the rivers from Argentina to Venezuela. Some grow larger than 6-pounds and can be fantastic light tackle adversaries (especially on smaller spinning/casting rods or a 5-6-weight fly rod). Needless to say, piranha are not picky eaters and take literally anything remotely resembling a baitfish. A small Rat-L-Trap tipped with meat is deadly. These feisty little creatures can, at times, be quite a nuisance as they have a nasty habit of destroying your lures or that custom-tied eight-dollar streamer the second it hits the water. |
Pacu, with their mouths
full of molars are the "lotus-eaters" of
the Amazon fish fauna. Most species
|
||||||||||||||||
![]() The
Piranha's dentition has made them the Hollywood
horror stars of the fish world. In spite
of their vicious reputation, most species feed
on fish, some specializing in hit and
run scale eating. The greatest danger
they present to the angler is the
safe removal of hooks from their horrid litle
jaws. They do, however, taste very good
pan-fried. |
|||||||||||||||||
Payara/Peixe
Cachorro (Hydrolicus scomberoides) are
a ferocious migratory gamefish from the
family Cynodontidae. Think of them as
a sort of Jurassic salmon. They are built
somewhat like a large Atlantic salmon and share
a similar metallic silver sheen. The
mouth of the payara is what sets them apart
from all other gamefish, as they sport an intimidating
set of razor sharp fangs which protrude from
the lower jaw like two glistening ivory framing
nails. Payara prefer to reside in extremely fast water and take both lures and flies with such savage force that one can easily rip the rod from your grasp if you are not paying close attention. Once hooked, a large payara will effortlessly peel off 150-yards of line/backing despite a thirty-pound leader, strong drag and stiff rod. Payara also make repeated salmon-style jumps, which adds to the fish’s allure. Although payara receive much less press than peacock bass, many anglers rate them above peacocks in terms of both sheer strength, stamina and overall fighting ability (and that’s saying something!) Conventional gear for payara is virtually the same as that mentioned in the trophy peacock bass and dorado sections (wire leader is essential). Payara are usually not surface oriented fish, so big Rapalas, 7-inch jerk baits, Rat-L-Trap type lures, spoons and jigs are most productive. Similar to the above-mentioned dorado, payara are fished with a slightly heavier 9-10-weight fly rod and either a 300 or 400-grain, 24-foot sink tip line depending upon water conditions. They can be fished with a full floating line, but only during extreme conditions as they prefer to reside in deep, fast current. A heavy mono leader tipped with stout steel tippet is essential. Payara take a variety of large streamers, but prefer heavily-dressed Cloussers and Muddlers tied on a 4/0 heavy saltwater tarpon hook. Many smaller species of payara/peixe-cachorra (Hydrolicus and Rhaphiodon Sp.) are found throughout South America. Although all are fast, vicious predators, most rarely exceed 5-pounds. The best places to catch giant trophy payara are Uraima Falls, the Caura River and several sections of the Orinoco and Ventuari Rivers (all in Venezuela). |
Subfamily Cynodontidae: The
latin translation for this name means "dog
tooth". It's particularly appropriate
for these aggressive and fast piscivorous
predators.
The huge pair of canines in the lower jaw is accommodated
by two holes to receive them in the upper. The
huge pectoral fins aid in propelling these
fish rapidly upward when attacking their
prey. Preys are stabbed by the canines
and then swallowed hole. These fanged
monsters prefer elongate prey from 30 - 50%
of their body length. |
||||||||||||||||
Payara take the art of the fight to another level. They combine some of the best characteristics known among fighting fish to provide an extraordinary angling experience. Payara are extremely aggressive and strike with intense power. They peel off line in long fast runs. And when all else fails, they hurl their huge, slablike bodies high into the air. If these fish were commonly found in the same "small-water" conditions as peacock bass, they would rarely be landed. For more information about payara, see our payara home page. Peixe-cachorro: Rhaphiodon vulpinus, a smaller and more elongate relative of the payara is common in the slower lowland waters of the Amazon Basin. Like its larger, fast-water cousin, it's a fast, fierce predator. Readily taken on flies, they are a pugnacious light-tackle target. |
|||||||||||||||||
One
of my Brazilian guides once referred to guabina/traira
and aimara/trairão as giant bars of
soap with a mouth full of teeth. These
ferocious, prehistoric looking fish are reminiscent
of the ancient coelacanth, or a cross between
a bowfin and a carp. The guabina,
or traira in Brazil, is the smaller of the
two species, reaching a top weight of about
10-pounds. They are found from the northern
Amazonian periphery in Venezuela all the way
to central Argentina in the Paraná River
drainage. These fish prefer slack water
and attack largemouth bass-sized topwater lures
or fly rod poppers and sliders with reckless
abandon. Don’t forget your wire
leaders though – one look at this fish’s
choppers and you’ll understand why. A
7-8-weight rod spooled with floating line and
a stout butt section tied to fairly heavy wire
is just the ticket for these bruisers. The traira’s larger cousin, the aimara or trairão is truly the stuff of angling nightmares. It attains weights in excess of 50-pounds and eats anything it damn well pleases. Big jerk baits, spoons, jigs, streamers and or large sliders/poppers fished in the eddies and pools adjacent to fast water are all susceptible to attack. Once hooked, this evil-looking fish thinks it’s a tarpon and jumps repeatedly. Heavy conventional tackle is key to get one of these bruisers in the boat. Anything less than a 10-weight rod, stout 4/0 stainless saltwater hooks, heavy butt and wire leader would be a big mistake as these monsters have a nasty reputation for heading headlong into the nearest available timber and rocks. The best place to catch these fish is at Uraima Falls, in the tributaries feeding into Venezuela’s Guri Lake and several western and southern tributaries in the Brazilian Amazon. |
Traira - Hoplius malabaricus
Traira possess impressive teeth. |
||||||||||||||||
Traira,
members of the characoid sub-family Erythrinidae,
are examples of facultative (part-time)
air breathers. Using vascularized
(blood-rich) tissues in their skin, stomachs
and swim bladders, this group of fish
uses air to augment the oxygen they receive
from water during hypoxic (low oxygen)
conditions . This ability allows
traira to utilize an unusual niche within
their environment. They can often
be found patrolling the very ends
of quiet lagoons, or lurking, hidden at
the edge of muddy, shallow shorelines. They
suddenly explode into action engulfing
any unwary bird, mouse or lizard that comes
to the water's edge to drink.
|
|||||||||||||||||
The
bicuda/aguja (Boulengerella maculata)
is a powerful, fast water fish that can be
found mixed in with the other previously-mentioned
species. It reaches a maximum size of
about 10-pounds and is a powerful, acrobatic
fighter. Picúa/cachorra
(Acestrorhynchus falcatus) is a sort of freshwater barracuda that
roams about (mixed in with the peacock bass) in small packs terrorizing
schools of baitfish. These fish don't grow very big (2-pounds maximum),
but they're extremely aggressive, plentiful and hard fighting on light
conventional rods or a 5-6-weight fly rod. |
Boulengerella species can exceed 2 feet in length. Acestrorhyncus species make short work of fancy flies. |
||||||||||||||||
The
Sardinata/apapá (Amazon pellona), a
clupeid fish, is an exceptional, yet
little-known migratory gamefish that fights
like, and is related to tarpon. The fish
averages about 8-pounds, but commonly grows
upwards of 20-pounds. Sardinata look
a lot like a small tarpon, except they have
a brilliant golden holographic coloration,
reminiscent of the freshwater dorado. These ‘golden
freshwater tarpon’ typically reside in
fast water and will take both flies and lures
with reckless abandon. Sardinata are
extremely topwater oriented and actually prefer
to take noisy surface flies and lures over
subsurface alternatives. Zara spooks
and popping-type surface baits are best for
these scrappers.
|
The family Clupeidae include the
herring, sardines and shad. Although
mostly a marine family, the Amazon has
more than ten species of these freshwater
adapted schooling fish. Sardinata
are the largest and are entirely predatory.
These surface-oriented piscivores have
a mouth structure, reminiscent of the tarpon,
designed perfectly for attacking small
insectivorous fish.
|
||||||||||||||||
There
are countless species of catfish throughout
the Amazon and Paraná drainages. They
range in size from the diabolical candirú (Pygidiidae),
a tiny parasitic catfish that lodges itself
in the urethral openings of other fish or animals
(or humans) to the monstrous lau lau or valentón/piraiba
(Brachyplatystoma filamentosum), which
is said to grow over 10-feet long and weigh
in excess of 500-pounds). The
golden catfish, Dourado (Brachyplatystoma
flavicans), Suribim display bright
markings.
There are several Amazonian catfish that will aggressively take a fly, including several species collectively called bagre rayado (Pseudoplatystoma sp.). It is important to note that these catfish are nothing like our local ‘cats’ which tend to be bottom-feeding and rather lethargic. Many of the larger species of Amazonian catfish are migratory, extremely active and aggressive predators that live in fast water and actively feed with the other previously-mentioned gamefish. Pound for pound, these ‘cats’ are as strong – if not stronger – than any fish I’ve had on a rod and reel. For more information about these big cats, see Giant Catfish Home Page |
It's
estimated that over 2500 species of fish occur
in the Amazon. The order Siluriformes (catfish)
is the second most diverse and probably the
most spectacular group of Amazon species. With
14 families, including about 1000 species,
the Amazon accounts for almost half of all
the catfish species in the world. Anglers pursue
giant species of the Family Pimelodidae.
The Tiger flathead, or suribim (Psuedoplatystoma fasciatum) |
||||||||||||||||
Anglers
often learn much about the species they pursue
by studying what they eat. Predator species
typically base their movements, behavior and
even life cycles on the habits of their prey. Although
there are hundreds of species of baitfish throughout
the basin, below are some of the most commonly
found (and eaten) species . . . Many of these can be recognized as common aquarium species.
|
More Fast Water Species
Moenkhausia sp |
||||||||||||||||
Catch
and Release -
Almost every single fish pictured in this
article and throughout our website was safely
returned to the water after being photographed. On rare occasions,
a specimen may be injured or selected for our
table. We never sacrifice rare or large
specimens. We firmly believe in catch
and release fishing and we do everything
in our power to preserve and protect the
remarkable natural wonders that it is our
privilege to enjoy.
|
|||||||||||||||||
<< Back >> River Plate Outfitters> Peacock Bass Species





The
peacocks below were caught on the same river,
during one week. 
The
black cheek markings provide a consistent
identifier for temensis. This
specimen is almost completely devoid of body
patterning.
Jacunda
- Crenicichla Sp.
Oscar
- Astronatus ocellatus 



Yatorana
can grow upwards of 15-pounds. This
is all the fish you’d want to tangle
with one light tackle.
A
small specimen of matrinchá shows
off its brightly marked tail and dorsal fins. These
highlights fade and ultimately disappear
in older specimens.



The
Piranha's dentition has made them the Hollywood
horror stars of the fish world. In spite
of their vicious reputation, most species feed
on fish, some specializing in hit and
run scale eating. The greatest danger
they present to the angler is the
safe removal of hooks from their horrid litle
jaws. They do, however, taste very good
pan-fried.

Peixe-cachorro:
Picúa/cachorra
(Acestrorhynchus falcatus) is a sort of freshwater barracuda that
roams about (mixed in with the peacock bass) in small packs terrorizing
schools of baitfish. These fish don't grow very big (2-pounds maximum),
but they're extremely aggressive, plentiful and hard fighting on light
conventional rods or a 5-6-weight fly rod. 
The
pescada, also known as corvina (Plagioscion
squamosissimus) is a freshwater croaker
closely related to saltwater drum (including
black drum and redfish). This fish
is considered an ‘incidental’ species
that is sometimes taken on deep-diving crank
baits, jigs and/or streamers fished deep
for other fast water species. 




