Types of Fish in the Pantanal

Image Common Name Scientific Name Size & Weight Common Bait Image Attribution
Dourado Dourado Salminus brasiliensis 60–90 cm / 4–10 kg Live fish (e.g. piau), artificial lures David Morimoto (treez44est),
CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pintado Pintado / Surubim Pseudoplatystoma corruscans 80–140 cm / 10–40 kg Fish chunks, live bait (small fish) Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovações,
CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jaú Jaú Zungaro jahu 100–150 cm / 20–100 kg Large live bait (e.g. cascudo, piau), fish parts F.-L. Castelnau, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Cachara Tiger shovelnose catfish / Cachara Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum 70–120 cm / 8–30 kg Live baitfish, fish fillets, worms Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovações,
CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pacu Pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus 40–70 cm / 5–15 kg Fruits (e.g. araçá, fig), dough balls Dick Culbert,
CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Piraputanga Piraputanga Brycon hilarii 30–50 cm / 1–3 kg Insects, fruit pieces, corn, artificial flies David Morimoto (treez44est),
CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tambaqui Tambaqui Colossoma macropomum 60–90 cm / 10–30 kg Fruits, seeds, corn dough, pellets Tino Strauss,
CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Piau Piau Leporinus spp. 20–40 cm / 0.5–2 kg Corn, worms, dough balls, fruits BRASIL AQUA,
CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Piranhas Piranhas Serrasalmus spp., Pygocentrus spp. 15–30 cm / 0.5–2 kg Meat, small fish, worms, chicken parts Bjoertvedt,
CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Traíra Traíra Hoplias malabaricus 25–60 cm / 1–4 kg Live baitfish, frogs, surface lures Cláudio D. Timm,
CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Corvina Corvina Plagioscion spp. 30–70 cm / 2–6 kg Shrimps, worms, small fish, artificial lures Buffon; Cuvier; Valenciennes, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Cascudo Armored Catfish (Cascudo) Callichthyidae, Loricariidae spp. 15–35 cm / 0.3–1 kg Rarely targeted—caught with worms or accidentally 5snake5, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mandis Mandis Pimelodella spp., Pimelodus spp. 20–40 cm / 0.5–1.5 kg Worms, shrimp, fish parts 5snake5, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Popular Game and Commercial Fish

  • Dourado (Salminus brasiliensis): Iconic golden predator, prized by sport fishers for its fight.
  • Pintado / Surubim (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans): Large, spotted catfish—valued for its size and flavor.
  • Jaú (Zungaro jahu): One of the largest freshwater catfish in South America.
  • Cachara (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum): Closely related to pintado, with a distinct reticulated pattern.
  • Pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus): Omnivorous fish, similar to piranhas but with flatter teeth.
  • Piraputanga (Brycon hilarii): Beautiful, fast fish often seen jumping—important to local sport fishing.
  • Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum):Also called “black pacu,” more common in aquaculture but also found in some areas of the Pantanal.
  • Piau (Leporinus spp.): Popular small-to-medium-sized fish, often targeted for food.

Other Notable Species

  • Piranhas (Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus spp.): Carnivorous, found in many rivers—some species are more aggressive than others.
  • Traíra (Hoplias malabaricus): Ambush predator, known for its powerful jaws and teeth.
  • Corvina (Plagioscion spp.): Not related to marine corvina but named similarly due to resemblance—found in deeper waters.
  • Armored Catfish (Callichthyidae and Loricariidae families): Many species with bony plates, known locally as cascudo.
  • Mandis (Pimelodella spp., Pimelodus spp.):Small to medium catfish, common in various aquatic habitats.

Ecological Importance

The Pantanal’s fish are essential for:

  1. Maintaining ecosystem balance.
  2. Supporting livelihoods through subsistence and commercial fishing.
  3. Attracting ecotourism, especially sport fishing.
  4. Would you like a printable infographic or image with labeled species?