Tambaqui: The Tropical Freshwater Titan
Of all tropical freshwater fish that are huge, ancient, and sought after by game fishermen, one of the most prominent is the Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum). From South American rivers, particularly the Amazon and Orinoco river systems, comes the Tambaqui, an exotic fish that boasts a very colorful background. Also known as a Black Pacu, this game fish is highly sought after in its native climbs as a good-eating fish for the local tables.
A Bit of History
The Tambaqui resembles the piranha, but don’t panic—this is a big softie. It has been used as a food source by indigenous Amazonians for centuries, and it’s even become something of a cultural icon in regions like Brazil, where it’s used extensively in traditional cuisine and celebrations. Its adaptability has also made it a favorite aquaculture species around South America and the globe. More recently, it has become a firm favourite with Thai fishery owners due to its hard-fighting characteristics and beautiful appearance.
Size & Strength
Maybe the most impressive thing about the Tambaqui is its size, reaching up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length and up to 30 kg (66 lbs) in weight in the wild, though in quality fishing resorts and farms, they can reach much larger sizes. Due to this, they are a very sought-after catch by fishermen who want a fight they will never forget and a catch they will never forget. Many anglers say that pound for pound, there is no better fighter.
Diet
Tambaqui are fruit-eating omnivores. In the Amazon, they prefer to wait under fruit trees and gorge on whatever falls into the water, using their strong, human-like teeth to crush hard seeds and shells. They consume plants, insects, and small aquatic animals. This unorthodox diet is part of what contributes to making their meat so richly flavored, which is desired in many cuisines.
Life Span and Longevity
These robust fish have a lifespan of up to 30 years in ideal conditions, especially in secure habitats like eco-resorts or regulated fishing lakes. Their size, combined with their long lifespan, makes them a thrilling catch and a valuable subject for research by fishery scientists.
Tambaqui in TopCats Fishing Resort
If you want to try landing a Tambaqui outside of South America, TopCats Fishing Resort in Koh Samui, Thailand, is one of the few resorts where you can. Our resort features many healthy Tambaqui, providing anglers with an opportunity to land this tropical bruiser in a beautiful, exotic environment.
In fact, we like them so much that we stocked 30 more at 3-4kg at the end of 2023, including one super rare Tiger Tanbaqui that has already become a sought-after fish by many of our customers
Regardless of whether you’re in it for the battle, the excitement, or the tall tales, the Tambaqui is an Amazonian legend worth getting to know. And at TopCats, we’re happy to provide this freshwater legend with a home as one of our favourite species.
