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Fish Species
Dorado or Golden DoradoClassification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Characiformes
Family: Characidae
Genus: Salminus
Species: maxillosus
Binomial name: Salminus maxillosus
Others: Salminus cuvieri, Salminus brasiliensis
Characteristics: The dorado has been often referred to as the “tigre de rio” or
jaguar of the river to be more accurate. They possess a bright golden coloration,
accented by rows of tiny small back dots running along their powerful streamlined
bodies. Their fins have a bright red coloration and the caudal fin has a black bar
along the middle through the caudal peduncle. Their massive jaws are equipped
with rows of razor sharp pointy teeth, living up quite accurately to its local
nickname. Dorado can reach upwards of 100cm in length and weigh as much as
45lbs (20.5kgs), more commonly in the 22-33lb (10-15kg) range.
Tabarana, the silver doradoClassificationKingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Characiformes
Family: Characidae
Genus: Salminus
Species: hilarii
Binomial name: Salminus hilarii
Characteristics: This species is a close relative of the dorado, and shares many of its
morphological features. However, this fish is smaller in average size, and has less
girth. It is silver with bright orange specks between scales, and black and red
accents on the caudal fin, as well as black accents on the dorsal and anal fins. This is
why it is called the “white or silver dorado” in much of its range. This species is quite
aggressive and preys upon smaller tetras and other baitfish such as sabalo
(Prochilodus sp.). Its sharp teeth make quick work of the smaller characins in the
river system. It can reach sizes of 3kgs but average size are less than 2kgs. The
tabarana is a great sporting fish, putting up a fierce fight and jumping repeatedly in
efforts to spit your hook out.
YatoranaClassificationKingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Characiformes
Family: Bryconidae
Genus: Brycon
Species: moorei
Binomial name: Brycon moorei
Others: B. cephalus, B. sp.
Characteristics: The yatorana is a schooling fish, but can be found individually
along the river shores. It is similar to the dorado in feeding behavior and habitat
requirements, which is why they often share the same waters. The yatorana is a
piscivore, feeding on small invertebrates and baitfish. It is a silvery fish, with an
olivaceous tinge dorsally and a shade of black on the ventral posterior end of the
body. The extremities of the fins are all a pale reddish color. These fish are built
for speed and fast water, so they will be found in fast flows among structure, runs
and heads and tails of deep pools. Also, they hunt around structure on the
shoreline and next to rock drop offs. These are very acrobatic fish, jumping and
clearing water repeatedly before being landed. This species can reach lengths of
up to 50cm and up to 5kg (11lbs).
Pacu or PirapitingaClassificationKingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Characiformes
Family: Characidae
Genus: Piaractus
Species: brachypomus
Binomial name: Piaractus brachypomus
Others: P. mesopotamicus, Colossoma macropomum
Characteristics: When mature, these fish can range from a silvery gray, to
yellowish ventrally, and a dark gray to dark silvery dorsal region. C.
brachypomum will have the distinctive red in the belly. They are large and oval
shaped, able to negotiate strong currents. Being an omnivore, it possesses strong
robust teeth and jaws, used to crack nuts from falling fruit. These fish are present
around overhanging fruiting trees, and deep pools and eddies. They will go
slightly carnivorous during the dry season, chasing baitfish, insects and taking
advantage of any carrion that becomes available. They can measure up to 50cm
and weigh anywhere between 6-25lbs.
Surubi or striped catfishClassification-
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Pimelodidae
Genus: Pseudoplatystoma
Species: fasciatum
Sub-species: Sorubiminae
Binomial name: Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum
Others: Pseudoplatystoma tigrinum, P. corruscans, P. magdaleniatum , P. punctifer,
P. reticulatum
Characteristics: This has to be one of the most beautifully patterned catfish in the
world. Species of Pseudoplatystoma have black markings as either vertical lines, a
maze of lines, or spots. They are on the dorsal side of the body, which is typically
a bluish gray, and sometimes darker gray coloration. The ventral side of the body
is white, sometimes showing some accents of pinkish red on the extreme of the
lower body fins. Their rostrum is elongated, in a shovel like shape, with the eyes
located on the upper side. They are very “shark-looking”, and actually are
voracious roving predators. In Bolivia, this species of catfish can reach up to
40kgs (88lbs) and 1.5 meters in length, although more commonly caught in the 1030kg range.
Muturo or JauClassificationKingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family:
Genus: Zungaro
Species: zungaro
Binomial name: Zungaro zungaro
Characteristics: This giant catfish can be caught in two color phases; petroleum
green or lighter (muturo), and can also be of bright yellow coloration, when they
are referred to as “amarillo”. Some display very faint dark spots along the body,
and others are solid color. They have huge gaping mouths and accommodate large
plates of tiny sharp teeth used to secure prey, as is the norm for most large
Amazonian catfishes. Heavier than longer, these fish are stocky, and can achieve
huge sizes. They are carnivorous, attacking prey such as smaller catfishes and
sabalo baitfish, or boga. They are found in rivers and dwell in the deep holes
formed by large eddies or deep holes around rocks and boulders. They are found
in stained and clear water rivers. This giant can weigh up to 100kg and a reach
lengths of up to 2 meters.
SabaloClassificationKingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Characiformes
Family: Prochilodontidae
Genus: Prochilodus
Species: lineatus
Binomial name: Prochilodus lineatus
Characteristics: Sabalo are a silvery schooling fish, and their main characteristic is
their protractile mouth with huge lips that form an oral disc when projected. With
tiny rasping teeth, they scrape off detritus and algae from structure, and also pick it
up from floating or suspended substrate. This fish takes part in huge migrations for
spawing in the headwaters of rivers. This species forms the basic prey item of the
river, being that every predatory fish in the river will eat this species at differing
stages of its growth. This species can be anywhere from less than a pound to 7kgs.