TRAIRA

The Traira (Hoplias malabaricus) is a scaled fish with a uniform cylindrical shaped body. It has a large mouth and very sharp teeth. The traira is similar to the mudfish of North Amreica. The fins on this species are rounded, with the exception of the dorsal fin which tends to have a rectangular shape. This species varies in color from black to brown. Some may possess spots. This fish tends to reside in slack waters, such as in lagoons and bays. They like to lurk under overhanging trees, waiting for small birds or insects to fall in the water. They often school. They will reside in water that peacock bass won’t – dingy water that would seem to be deprived of oxygen. If you get a strike in shallow, dingy water, don’t get too excited that you’ve hooked into a peacock bass, as it’s probably a traira. It will readily attack topwater and subsurface lures used for peacock bass.  This fish can attain weights up to seven pounds, but are typically caught in the 1-3 pound range.