New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

🌿 Sustainable Seafood ⚡ Omega-3 Rankings 🔬 Mercury Safety 🏆 World Records 🎣 Fishing Licenses
API Docs
Get API Key →
💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🎣 Game Fish ⚠️ Venomous 🚨 Invasive ⚡ Traumatogenic 🌡️ Tropical 🎣 Game Fish

Pirapitinga

Piaractus brachypomus Cuvier, 1818
← All Species
Piaractus Brachypomus (Piaractus brachypomus)
Piaractus Brachypomus (Piaractus brachypomus)
Max Length
88 cm
Max Weight
25.0 kg
Lifespan
28 yrs
Trophic Level
2.5
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
66.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
pelagic

📖 Overview

Juveniles mimic Serrasalmus nattereri. Adults feed on insects and decaying plants . They possess powerful dentition that can cause serious bites . An important foodfish .

Scientific Name
Piaractus brachypomus
Authority
Cuvier, 1818
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
88 cm
Max Weight
25 kg
Lifespan
28 years
Latitude
11°S – 23°N
Trophic Level
2.5
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
66.00/100
Migration
Potamodromous
Water Temp
23–28 °C
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Teleostei
Teleostei
Order
Characiformes
Characiformes
Family
Serrasalmidae
Serrasalmidae
Genus
Piaractus
Piaractus
Species
Pirapitinga
Piaractus brachypomus

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Pirapitinga is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Pirapitinga is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

Assuming standard charicid mode of reproduction. Replace ASAP.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; pelagic; pH range: 4.8 - 6.8; dH range: ? - 15; potamodromous . Tropical; 23°C - 28°C ; 23°N - 11°S South America: Amazon and Orinoco River basins (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater 🐟 Pelagic
Migration
Potamodromous
Trophic Level
2.5±0.22
Food Items

insects and decaying plants (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.03162 × L3 (TL)
Max TL
88cm
Max Weight
25,000g

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
23–28°C
pH Range
4.8–6.8
Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2020

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
66.00/100
High vulnerability
Trophic Level
2.5
Omnivore / Planktivore
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
23°N – 11°S
Described By
Cuvier, 1818

⚠️ Venom Profile

Medical Warning: This species is venomous. Seek immediate medical attention if envenomated. Contact emergency services and follow first aid guidance below.
Venom Type
proteinaceous neurotoxin
Delivery
dorsal, anal, and pelvic fin spines
Potency
Severe
Mortality Risk
Low
Symptom Onset
5min
Duration
24.0hrs
Antivenom
✗ Not Available
Named Toxins
high-molecular-weight protein (Stonustoxin analogue) acetylcholine
Symptoms
  • immediate intense pain
  • swelling
  • erythema
  • occasional nausea and weakness
Affected Body Systems
peripheral nervous system cardiovascular
First Aid
Immerse affected area in hot water (45 C, tolerable) for 30-90 minutes to denature toxin. Do not apply ice.
Medical Treatment

Analgesia; wound care; tetanus prophylaxis; severe cases may require monitoring for systemic effects.

References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature

🚨 Invasive Species Impact

Status
Established
Ecological Impact
Moderate
Origin
various
How Introduced
multiple pathways including aquaculture escape and intentional stocking
First Recorded
1950
Invaded Regions
multiple regions outside native range
Ecological Impacts
  • competition with native species
  • habitat modification
Economic Impacts
  • management and control costs
  • fishery impacts in some areas
Affected Native Species
various native fish species
Control Methods

Prevention of further spread through import bans, targeted removal in sensitive areas.

Management Status

Monitoring and containment programs in place.

References: Compiled from IUCN Global Invasive Species Database, USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database, and CABI Invasive Species Compendium.

🎣 Angling Guide

Difficulty
Beginner
Fight Rating
strong pulls with head-shakes
Best Seasons
spring,summer,fall
Best Time
incoming tide, dawn and dusk
Line Weight
15-30
Rod Type
medium-heavy spinning
Hook Size
2/0-5/0
Catch & Release
✓ Recommended
Best Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Techniques
bottom fishing popping cork soft plastics live bait
Bait & Lures
live shrimp cut mullet soft plastic paddle-tails popping corks
Recommended Tackle
  • medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
  • 30-50 lb braid
  • fluorocarbon leader
Where to Find Them
  • grass flats
  • oyster bars
  • marsh drains
  • deeper channel edges
Tips & Tricks
Popping cork technique attracts fish from distance. Fish moving tides.
Catch & Release Tips

Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.

Regulations Summary

⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Pirapitinga ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.