Freshwater

Pirapitinga (red-bellied pacu)

Pirapitinga (cachama blanca)

Piaractus brachypomus

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

5–20 lb.

Depth

3–20 ft.

Best time

Morning and late afternoon.

Found in

3 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Deep, round, silver-gray pacu with square, human-like teeth; young fish have a bright red-orange chest and belly. Lighter in color than the tambaqui, without the dark lower half.
Typical size: 5–20 lb.
Maximum size: About 3 ft and over 40 lb.
Diet: Fruits, seeds, nuts, insects and small fish.
Behavior: Like the tambaqui, it feeds in the flooded forest in high water and moves back to the rivers as the water drops.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Amazon & Pantanal, Venezuela & Colombia Rivers and Bolivia & Peru Lakes & Rivers. Rivers, flooded forests and lakes of the Amazon and Orinoco basins; farmed widely and sometimes found far outside its range after aquarium releases.
Habitat: Rivers, flooded forests and lakes of the Amazon and Orinoco basins; farmed widely and sometimes found far outside its range after aquarium releases.
Depth: 3–20 ft.
Fishing depth: Near the surface under fruit trees, or 5–15 ft.
Best season: High and falling water; closed seasons during spawning in several countries.
Best time: Morning and late afternoon.
Best tides: No tide — in rivers, falling water after the rainy season is best.
Best weather / conditions: Stable weather.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Fruits, seeds, corn, dough baits and crabs.
Best artificial lures: Rarely; small crankbaits, spinners and fruit flies sometimes.
Tackle setup: 7 ft medium-heavy rod.
Hook size: Strong 3/0–6/0 hooks.
Line: 30–50 lb braid.
Leader: 50–80 lb mono or light wire.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Rivers, flooded forests and lakes of the Amazon and Orinoco basins; farmed widely and sometimes found far outside its range after aquarium releases.
Rig up: 7 ft medium-heavy rod. 50–80 lb mono or light wire.
Pick your bait: Fruits, seeds, corn, dough baits and crabs. Lures: Rarely; small crankbaits, spinners and fruit flies sometimes.
Fish it: Drop fruit or seed baits under overhanging trees and let them sink slowly; on the bottom, use corn or dough near rocks and drop-offs.
Time it: Morning and late afternoon. No tide — in rivers, falling water after the rainy season is best.

Fishing techniques: Drop fruit or seed baits under overhanging trees and let them sink slowly; on the bottom, use corn or dough near rocks and drop-offs.
BigJoe's tip: Fish in the shade of fruiting trees during the high-water months.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Rich, tasty meat; grilled or roasted whole, like tambaqui.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Crushing teeth — use pliers and keep fingers away from the mouth.
Regulations: Minimum sizes and closed seasons apply in several countries; check local rules. Every country requires a fishing license (in Brazil, the Licença de Pesca Amadora), each Argentine province and Brazilian state adds its own rules, and most rivers close during the spawning season. Indigenous lands and strict reserves are closed to outside anglers without permits.
Conservation: Wild fish are under fishing pressure; much of the market supply is farmed.

Tap an area to open its fishing map.

Sources & photo credits