Also known as
- Cachama Negra VE
- Gamitana PE
- Pacu Negro CO
- Black Pacu US
- Giant Pacu US
- Cachama US
Identification
A massive, deep, laterally compressed powerhouse with extraordinary strength for its size. The thick muscular frame drives sustained swimming through strong current and flooded-forest environments. Females develop fuller bodies during spawning.
- Dark grey to black back, silver-grey flanks with reddish-orange on throat and breast
- Small head with large eyes and an upturned mouth set against a massive body
- Human-like molar teeth in two rows built for crushing nuts and hard-shelled prey
- Small adipose fin between dorsal and tail
Where it holds
- Rivers
- Lakes
- Flooded Forests
Behaviour
Primarily a fruit-eating omnivore — fallen plant material dominates the diet (50-70% during high water), supplemented by insects and occasional small fish. Specialised molar teeth crack hard nuts that fall into flooded forests during the wet season, a food source unavailable to most other fish. Activity peaks in early morning and late afternoon with reduced feeding during midday heat. Feeds across the water column from surface fruits to bottom nuts depending on the current food source.
Diet: Fruits, Nuts, Seeds, Aquatic Insects, Small Fish
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Bottom Fishing
Anchor fruits, nuts, seeds, or dough balls on a heavy bottom rig beneath fruiting trees and around flooded timber. Use 3/0-6/0 circle hooks to penetrate the bony mouth. Let the fish commit before coming tight — mouthing is normal — then pile on pressure to turn it out of cover.
Spinning
Cast soft plastics, spoons, and spinnerbaits to structure and flooded vegetation where fish hold during high water. Slow sinking and fluttering presentations beat active retrieves — dead-sticking around fruit-drop zones out-produces standard casting. Hook-set hard to drive through the tough mouth.
Fly Fishing
Dry Fly
Dead-drift large foam or deer-hair fruit patterns under fruiting canopy on heavy fly tackle. Takes are subtle — fish mouth the fly before committing. Use 15-20kg shock tippet and strip-set firmly to drive the hook through the tough bony mouth.
