T - December 19, 2020

TAMBAQUI

Scientific Name:

Colossoma macropomum

Salt/Fresh:

Fresh

Also Known As:

Black Pacu; Cachama; Blackfin Pacu; Morocoto; Pacu; TAMBAQUI; Giant Pacu; Gamitana

Rating:

Countries:

Other Countries

Description:

Tambaqui are large, solitary freshwater fish found in South America. After the forests have flooded these fish feast on fruits, grains and nuts using their very strong teeth. These largely herbivorous fish are in the same sub-family as the carnivorous piranhas.

How To Identify:

It may reach more than 1 m (3 ft 3 in) in total length and 30 kg (66 lb) in total weight. It is similar in shape to the piranha and is sometimes confused with the carnivorous fish; the Tambaqui is tall and laterally compressed with large eyes and a slightly arched back. Body color is basic black to gray with spots and blemishes in its midbody. All the fins are black and the pectoral fins are small. Around 10% of a Tambaqui's weight is fat. The world record recognized by IGFA belongs to the Brazilian Jorge Masullo de Aguiar with 32.4 kg (71 lb).

How To Catch:

To fish for our Tambaqui, fish the same tactics as you would for their close relation the black pacu. They do have a distinct liking for corn, especially if you soak it in fruit flavourings. As with pacu, float fish alongside the water hyacinth beds, and they occasionally get caught on the plateau tops. The Tambaqui is a great fish to target on fly rods using surface bugs and hopper patterns on floating lines. When they take do not strike, but wait for the line to tighten or you will miss them, due to their human like teeth, which they use to crush nuts. These teeth are not sharp, but you must let the fly get past the teeth. You do not need to use wire, but you should use tough braid hooklinks.

Where Found:

Internationally

The Tambaqui is the largest characin of South America, found in the Amazon and Orinoco basins in its wild form. However, its pisciculture form is widely distributed in South America.

TAMBAQUI

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