TAMBAQUI

The Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), also called black pacu, is from the Characidae family. It is a relative of the piranha, but unlike piranhas, the tambaqui has a mouthful of blunt teeth that appears very human-like. The body color is brown to gray, with black blotches in its mid body and a white ventral area. These fish survive primarily on a plant and fruit diet. They may grow to more than 3 feet long and weigh over 65 pounds. It is found in rivers throughout the Amazon region. It is a migratory fish that tends to seek out lagoons during the rainy season, pursuing seeds and fruits that have fallen into the water. These fish have been caught on bucktail jigs, small jerkbaits and subsurface flies. The local guides prefer to use fruit on a bait-hook to catch the tambaqui, which is a very vicious fighter and a delicacy on the table.