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How to catch Cachama

Colossoma macropomum (Cuvier, 1816)

About Cachama fishing

The tambaqui is a heavy, deep-bodied freshwater characin belonging to the family Serrasalmidae, native to tropical South America where it inhabits the Amazon and Orinoco basins. It features a laterally compressed profile, a slightly arched back, and specialized molar-like teeth adapted for crushing seeds and fallen fruits in flooded forests. This species can reach substantial proportions, growing up to one hundred eight centimetres in total length and forty kilograms in weight. It leads a largely solitary existence outside of its seasonal migrations into whitewater rivers for spawning between November and February. Anglers and commercial fisheries highly regard it for its immense strength and rich flesh, making it a popular target in specialized freshwater fisheries.

  • Difficulty

    Medium

  • Average size

    70 cm TL

  • Habitat

    Freshwater

  • Season

    Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter

  • Also known as

    Blackfin pacu, Pacu, Red bellied pacu, Tambaqui

Cachama

Deep Body

Deep, laterally compressed body profile distinguishes this large characin.

Red Belly

Bright reddish-orange coloration on the lower breast and belly.

Adipose Fin

Small fleshy adipose fin located just before the caudal peduncle.

Cachama fishing facts

Characteristics

  • Typical size

    70 cm TL (max 108 cm TL )

  • Typical weight

    8.5 kg (max 40 kg )

  • Depth

    5 m

  • Longevity

    11.9 years

  • Body shape

    Short And / Or Deep

  • Vulnerability score

    47.2

Best hours

  • Dawn

    First light

    Peak

  • Morning

    After sunrise

    Peak

  • Midday

    High sun

    Low

  • Afternoon

    Late day

    Active

  • Dusk

    Last light

    Peak

  • Night

    After dark

    Low

When to fish for Cachama

01
January
02
February
03
March
04
April
05
May
06
June
07
July
08
August
09
September
10 Now
October
11
November
12
December

How to catch Cachama

Tips for catching Cachama

To target this powerful omnivore, anglers should focus on presentations that mimic falling forest fruits, seeds, or floating vegetation. Float fishing with sweetcorn or floating bread near submerged timber and shaded margins yields excellent results, especially during warmer months when fish feed actively near the surface. Heavy feeder tackle packed with groundbait and enriched pellets works effectively when ledgering on deeper river channels or lake beds. Fly fishers can use floating lines paired with bulky terrestrial or fruit-imitating foam patterns cast close to bankside structures. Early morning and late afternoon hours offer the most productive windows for consistent sport.

Other names for Cachama

Local and alternate names anglers use for Cachama.

  • Cachama
  • Tambaqui
  • Red bellied pacu
  • Pacu
  • Blackfin pacu

Best equipment to catch Cachama

Compare fishing methods for Cachama — sized kit for each technique.

Note: Typical fish is 8.5 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.

Best lures and baits for Cachama

Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.

How Cachama migrates — Potamodromous

Migrates within rivers and lakes only. Fish upstream runs and seasonal lake movements, not saltwater.

How Cachama migrates — Potamodromous 1. Eggs: Laid on gravel or weed upstream or in flooded shallows. 2. Larvae: Fry drift or swim down to slower water. 3. Adults: Feed in the main river or lake. 4. Spawners: Move upstream or into the shallows to spawn.
Upstream Main river or lake

1 Eggs

Upstream

Laid on gravel or weed upstream or in flooded shallows.

2 Larvae

→ Main river or lake

Fry drift or swim down to slower water.

3 Adults

Main river or lake

Feed in the main river or lake.

4 Spawners

→ Upstream

Move upstream or into the shallows to spawn.

The whole cycle stays in fresh water.

Hover or tap a number to read each stage.

Diet and behavior of Cachama

  • Diet

    Herbivore

  • Feeds by

    Grazes plants

  • Hunts

    Dawn · Morning · Dusk

  • Main prey

    Baitfish

Prey and predators of Cachama

Prey is what Cachama eats. Predators are the animals that eat it.

That is how it feeds, and how it is hunted.

Prey

What it eats

Predators

What hunts it

Fish

  • Arapaima recruits/juv.
  • Electrophorus recruits/juv.
  • Hoplias recruits/juv.
  • Serrasalmus recruits/juv.

Where Cachama lives

Lives near the bottom but swims in the water just above it. Cover the lower column, not only the mud.

Habitats
Freshwater
Depth zone
From 5 m
Water column
Benthopelagic
Just above the bed

Where this species lives