Also known as
- Pintado US
- Spotted Surubi US
- Spotted Catfish US
Identification
A very large South American torpedo-shaped freshwater catfish with a heavily muscled laterally compressed build engineered for powerful swimming in main river channels. Females grow larger than males.
- Golden-brown to greyish base colouration providing riverbed camouflage
- Large dark spots arranged in six to eight horizontal rows along the flanks
- Four pairs of long slender sensory barbels around the mouth
- Broadly flattened head tapering to a wide jaw
Where it holds
- Rivers
- Lakes
- Flooded Forests
- Wetlands
Behaviour
Migratory apex predator that undertakes 200-400km runs between feeding and spawning grounds; pre-spawn fish move up to 31km per day. Primarily nocturnal bottom-hunter that follows baitfish schools along main channels and deep tributary confluences. Sensitive barbels locate prey in turbid water and darkness. Disperses into flooded forests, lakes, and tributaries during high water to exploit expanded feeding opportunities; concentrates in deep main channels during low water.
Diet: Characins, Small Catfish, Piranha, Baitfish, Freshwater Prawns
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Live Lining
Free-line or lightly weight a live 15-25cm baitfish near bottom in main river channels, deep holes, and tributary confluences. Current-seam presentations at dawn, dusk, and through the night produce the committed takes. Heavy tackle mandatory — fish to 120kg make sustained line-peeling runs toward structure.
Bottom Fishing
Anchor or drift heavy-sinker rigs with fresh cut fish or whole baitfish on the deepest main-channel bottoms and tributary mouths. Target scoured holes and depth breaks. Bites are infrequent but from large fish — patience pays off.
Spinning
Work large 15cm+ crankbaits, swimbaits, and deep jerkbaits along the bottom near structure and depth changes. Erratic bottom-hugging retrieves draw strikes during active feeding. Heavy-action rods are required to cast the bait size and handle the fight.
