Pirapitinga

{
  "id": "9c05e72e-5eb0-4f04-8b5f-b00d38b276a6",
  "commonName": "Pirapitinga",
  "scientificName": "Piaractus brachypomus",
  "slug": "pirapitinga",
  "category": "freshwater",
  "aliases": [
    "Pacu",
    "Tambaqui",
    "Cachama",
    "Morocoto",
    "Giant Pacu",
    "Black-Finned Pacu",
    "Red-Bellied Pacu"
  ],
  "description": "The pirapitinga is a formidable, broad-bodied freshwater fish built like a living dinner plate turned on its side. Its powerful, deep, and laterally compressed body is clad in silver to gunmetal grey scales, often with a distinct reddish or orange hue on its belly and pectoral fin base, especially in adults. Most specimens encountered by anglers range from 10 to 20 pounds, but the true river giants can push 40 pounds or more. The head is small in proportion, with a distinctively downturned, piranha-like mouth filled with blunt, crushing molars designed for pulverising seeds and nuts. Its caudal fin is broad and strong, a clear indicator of the explosive power it possesses. In hand, its sheer girth and surprisingly tough scales are immediately apparent. It is also known as the 'Pacu' or 'Tambaqui'.",
  "imageUrl": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/species/pirapitinga/main.webp",
  "hero": {
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    "altText": "Pirapitinga (Piaractus brachypomus) watercolor",
    "caption": "The pirapitinga is a formidable, broad-bodied freshwater fish built like a living dinner plate turned on its side.",
    "width": 2400,
    "height": 1340
  },
  "phases": [
    {
      "id": "ac699985-1012-42ab-875f-566518f97acb",
      "name": "Adult",
      "slug": "adult",
      "description": "The pirapitinga is a powerful, deep-bodied river giant, spending its adult life patrolling flooded forests and main river channels in search of fruits, nuts, and seeds. This vegetarian bruiser uses its crushing molars to pulverize hard-shelled food, forming a vital ecological link in its Amazonian habitat. Anglers revere its sheer strength and dogged, bulldog-like fighting style.",
      "appearance": "A broad, laterally compressed body shaped like a large dinner plate turned upright. Base coloration is silver to gunmetal grey across the back and flanks, often with a subtle coppery or brass sheen. The belly and lower flanks transition to a distinct, vibrant reddish-orange or rosy hue, which is most pronounced in the pectoral fin axils and along the ventral area. The head is notably small relative to the massive, deep body, with a distinctly downturned, subterminal mouth. The mouth is filled with robust, square, human-like molars for crushing. Scales are large, tough, and reflective. The caudal fin is broad, powerful, and moderately forked. Fins are generally dark grey to black, sometimes with reddish tinges at the base. Size typically ranges from 10-20 lbs, with true trophies exceeding 30-40 lbs.",
      "triggers": null,
      "habitat": "Main river channels, flooded forests (igapó and várzea), oxbow lakes, and deep pools in the Amazon and Orinoco basins. Often found near fruiting trees during high-water seasons.",
      "anglersNote": "This is the primary trophy phase for anglers, sought for its incredible power and impressive size. Best targeted with fruit, nuts, or seed-imitating lures during high-water seasons in flooded forests.",
      "displayOrder": 0,
      "imageUrl": null,
      "media": null
    }
  ],
  "contentUpdatedAt": "2026-05-09T22:32:49.115Z"
}

[]

[]

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  "title": null,
  "description": "Pirapitinga, also known as Pacu or Tambaqui, is a powerful freshwater fish with crushing molars. Anglers target this deep-bodied river giant for its strength.",
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  "ogDescription": "Meet the Pirapitinga, also called Pacu or Tambaqui. This deep-bodied freshwater fish uses piranha-like jaws to crush nuts and seeds. Anglers prize its bulldog-like fight and impressive size.",
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    "piaractus brachypomus",
    "freshwater",
    "pacu",
    "tambaqui",
    "cachama",
    "morocoto",
    "giant pacu",
    "black-finned pacu",
    "red-bellied pacu"
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