Piaractus brachypomus

Piaractus brachypomus (Cuvier, 1818)

Piaractus brachypomus

Michael Goulding

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Common names

  • Bolivia: Tambaqui
  • Brazil: Caranha, Pirapitinga
  • Colombia: Paco, Cachama-blanca
  • Ecuador: (Common names not yet available)
  • Peru: Paco

Summary

The paco is one of the largest Amazonian fishes that feed mainly on fruits and seeds. It inhabits whitewater, blackwater and clearwater rivers, and undertakes migrations associated with the hydrological cycles of the basin. It is a medium-sized species (40–100 cm), of great fishery and commercial importance in the Amazon. Intense exploitation from the late 1960s to the early 1970s significantly reduced the abundance of large individuals, so it is currently considered a species susceptible to overexploitation.

Taxonomy

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Teleostei
  • Order: Characiformes
  • Family: Serrasalmidae
  • Genus: Piaractus
  • Taxon category: Species

Distribution

Potential paco production is estimated at 2,150 tonnes. The Central Amazon concentrates approximately 73% of catches, followed by the Peruvian Amazon with 10%. It undertakes medium-distance migrations between 100 and 1,000 km.

Threat status

Least Concern (LC) IUCN

Reproduction

Spawning occurs at the beginning of the rising-water season.

Feeding

Frugivorous. It feeds mainly on fruits and seeds that fall into the water from riparian vegetation and floodplain forests.

Habitat

It is found in whitewater, blackwater and clearwater rivers of the Amazon basin. Juveniles are frequently caught in floodplain lakes of the Central Amazon and the Lower Amazon.

Uses, management and conservation

It is a first-class commercial species and one of the most important fishery resources of the Amazon. Its market is mainly regional within the Amazon basin. The decline of adult individuals in some regions suggests the need to strengthen management measures aimed at ensuring the sustainability of its populations. The fact sheet notes that the species could be considered overexploited due to strong historical fishing pressure and the current scarcity of large individuals.

References

(Not available)