The Fishing » Amazon Fish Species · Peacock Bass FAQ
The Game fish of the Amazon
The freshwater Amazonian game fish in this article, as organized by ichthyologists, are all members of the Class Osteichthyes, or bony fish. This group includes all freshwater evolved fish and the majority of saltwater species. Fish of similar anatomical characteristics within this differentiation, are grouped in Orders. Within each Order, closely related fish are further segregated into Families. The two-part scientific name then specifies the Genus and Species.
| ORDER PERCIFORMES | cichlids |
| ORDER CYPRINIFORMES | characins |
| OSTEOGLOSSIFORMES | osteoglossids |
| ORDER SILURIFORMES | catfish |
Amazonian fish species evolved from ancient groups that were already established nearly 60 million years ago. They have changed little since that time. The most commonly accepted theory regarding the existence of most Amazon species is that their precursors evolved during a period when the current South America, Africa, southern Asia and Australia were a single continent called Gondwanaland. When these continents separated, those mutual ancestors then evolved independently. Although the remnant of this relationship between the Amazonian, African and Australian fish remains evident today, their modern descendents have speciated into thousands of endemic varieties.
The majority of Amazonian game fish belong to only three large groups or Families, including the catfish, characins (freshwater dorado for example), and cichlids (peacock bass). The rest belong to minority groups and several other oddball Families like the osteoglossidae (such as the immense pirarucú), as well as groups with salt-water origins such as the sardinata/apapá, a shad/herring/tarpon-like fish and the corvina, which is essentially a freshwater drum.
The list of Amazonian freshwater game fish is extensive and exotic. There are as many as twenty different species that will take a fly or lure, all dependent on the region, and all with fantastic names to match their peculiar appearances.
The Legendary Peacock Bass
The one fish of all the Amazon game fish that has received the most press is the peacock bass. The peacock's remarkable, explosive topwater strike, combined with an astonishing ability to break heavy lines/leaders and straighten even stout saltwater hooks, makes it one of the most sought after species in the Amazon basin.
Peacock bass are not a true bass such as the largemouth and smallmouth bass (Micopterus Sp.) found in North American waters, but comprise a genus within the family Cichlidae. Cichlids are a diverse family of tropical fish found primarily throughout Africa, South America and southern Asia.
Peacock bass species are highly temperature sensitive fish, but some have been successfully introduced in tropical areas from Panama to Hawaii. The latest transplants (C. ocellaris and C. monoculus) can be found happily swimming in many of the major freshwater irrigation channels in Dade County, Florida. Permanent populations of the giant species, C. temensis have never been successfully transplanted outside of the Amazon basin and Lake Guri.
There are countless color variations throughout their range, but only four currently recognized species of peacock bass, C. temensis, C. ocellaris, C. monoculus and C. nigrolineatus. As you would assume, there is a raging debate among ichthyologists and anglers on this topic. In Brazil and Peru, all species are commonly called tucunaré while other Spanish speaking South American countries use the term pavón.
The "Speckled" or "Blue" Peacock (Cichla temensis)
The "blue" or "spotted" tucunaré/pavón (Cichla temensis), better known as azul or paca/pinta lapa is the largest of the four species. The average weight is about six pounds. The females, particularly females not old enough to spawn, are so distinctly spotted with a fawn pattern running laterally along their back that they can mistakenly identified as a separate species. The name paca/pinta lapa comes from the agouti, a 40-pound spotted jungle rodent. Their spots fade out or disappear altogether as they mature. A distinct fatty lump develops on the top of their head during breeding season and subsides after spawning. It has been postulated that the purpose of this growth is utilized as a food source by the peacock's fry for several weeks after hatching. Another thought is that the peacock's lump may disperse a chemical marker that keeps the young close to the adult. One may often see tightly packed clouds of peacock fry swarming about the head of their protective father (in clear water). The growth on the head often appears rubbed raw when a male is caught post-spawn. It looks as if the young have been nipping away at the swollen nodule.
Markings and body coloration vary greatly. This fish has an unmistakable mottled patch directly behind its eye in either color phase. Usually, three vertical black bars are visible with intensity varying from fish to fish. The bars begin just behind the pectoral fin and end underneath the soft portion of the dorsal fin. Often, lateral white spots are present and run along the top third of the body. Rarely, there are neither black bars nor horizontal stripes or spots, but the mottled patch directly behind the eye remains the distinctive identifier. The "speckled" or "blue" peacock is found throughout the Brazilian, Venezuelan and Colombian Amazon, and the largest of these are caught in the Rio Negro tributaries of Brazil and Venezuela.
Cichlids
Morphology: Cichlids share several unique physical characteristics even though comprised of widely differing species. Other fish have two nostrils on each side of the head, but the cichlids have only one. Also, they have both a spiny and a soft, dorsal and anal fin.
Behavior: Some of the most complex and highly evolved behavior patterns of all fish can be found in cichlids. It is difficult to ascribe characteristics to all members of the group because of the family's diversity; however, many generalities effectively apply to the majority of species. Cichlids are among the intellectuals of fish being highly intelligent and it has been proved by scientists that cichlids can learn. "The way they sometimes tear up my gear, I'd swear they knew who I was and had passed the word among themselves." They are generally very aggressive and pugnacious, and are often extremely territorial.
Reproduction: A generalization can be made about New World cichlids.they are all substrate spawners. Some species may guard eggs or young in their mouths at some time during the brooding cycle, but none are true mouthbreeders. Some, notably the famous aquarium discus, provide nourishment for the young directly from their bodies.
Other Peacock Bass Species
The most widespread species in the Amazon basin is the butterfly tucunaré/pavón (Cichla ocellaris). It is a smaller fish and has several different color phases, although hybridization is common. The most common color phase exhibits three black oscelli, or spots, that are about the size of a half dollar which run along its lateral line. Some of the "butterflies" have no distinct body markings at all, but the absence of the black eye-patch easily distinguishes them from their larger cousins. About three pounds is the average size for the butterfly peacock. The largest rarely exceed eight pounds.
The "gray bar" or "fire belly" (Cichla monoculus) is a third species, and exhibits three black triangular-shaped markings along the back with a distinct inkblot pattern above the belly. This fish does not commonly grow much over three pounds in the central Amazon, but on the periphery of the basin, particularly Brazil and Bolivia, "gray bars" can exceed twelve pounds. "Gray bars" may also be found in Florida and Hawaii.
The "royal" tucunaré/pavón (Cichla nigrolineatus) is the fourth species, and is not normally found in Brazil since it prefers fast water in a rocky habitat. It is most common in many Colombian and Venezuelan tributaries of the Orinoco River. Distinguishing features include a narrow, serrated, horizontal black band that runs from just behind the gill plate, past the soft part of the dorsal fin. The band is often rather serrated, but the coloration remains distinctive from the "butterfly." "Royal" peacocks reach a top weight of about five pounds, and prefer fast moving water. They behave very much like our smallmouth bass.
Tackle for Peacock Bass
Tackle for peacocks varies depending on location and the size of the fish. Rods and reels commonly used for trophy largemouth work well for the smaller peacock species. Smaller peacocks take a variety of topwater baits including Heddon Zara Spooks and small Luhr Jenson Woodchoppers/Rippers. Also, five-inch jerk baits such as Cotton Cordell Redfins or Rapalas, bucktail jigs (1/2 oz.) and weedless spoons work well.
Stout tackle is required for trophy peacocks. An essential selection of rods is a stiff, musky/striper-weight casting or spinning rod along with a high-quality, fast retrieve ratio reel. These are needed both to properly cast and retrieve large lures, and to handle these incredibly powerful fish which tend to hold near nasty structure. Veteran fishermen now use 30- to 50-pound braided lines because anything of less strength is easily broken. Top lures include the 6 and 3/4-inch Luhr Jensen Woodchopper/Ripper, Super Spooks, a variety of 7-inch jerk baits, big weedless spoons and extra-large bucktail jigs.
Peacocks are taken by fly casters on a variety of oversized streamer, popper and slider patterns tied on 4/0 or 5/0 extremely stout saltwater hooks which match a multitude of large baitfish. A stiff 9- to 10-weight rod and both floating and sink tip lines are commonly used for larger fish depending upon existing fishing conditions. An 8-weight is perfect for the smaller "butterflies" and "grey bars." You also need heavy leaders to keep from breaking fish off, such as a straight eight-foot section of 50-pound monofilament.
Other Large Cichlids
Two other "game" species of Cichlids are native to the Amazon basin. One is the oscar/palometa real, now also common throughout the south Florida canal system and in Bolivia. Second is the jacundá / mataguaro, most common in Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia, which is a smaller close cousin of the peacock bass species in the genus Crenicichla. Oscar/palometa real and jacundá/ mataguaro reach a maximum weight of about six pounds, and aggressively take the same black bass-sized lures and flies mentioned above. Jacunda strike very powerfully and relate strongly to structure. Their fighting is with strong, short runs with an intense, bulldog-like style. On an ultralight casting/spinning rod or 6- weight fly rod and floating line, both species are great fun to catch.
Osteoglossiformes — Aruana and Arapaima
Osteoglossiformes are an order of prehistoric freshwater fish. The arapaima, paiche or pirarucú, as it is known in Brazil, is the largest wholly freshwater fish in the world. Records show fish over three meters (almost ten feet) and up to 275 kilograms (600 pounds). Pirarucú look like some sort of Jurassic tarpon with a strange, club-shaped tail. The pirarucú's flesh is much sought after throughout the Amazon and for this reason, large specimens are becoming rare. Pirarucú can be taken on tarpon-sized conventional tackle with patience and persistence. The best bet is a large, live baitfish (7/0 circle hook) dropped under a heavy cork, or you can use seven-inch jerk baits (CD-14-18 Rapalas).
In the deep lagoons if prefers, this fish will very occasionally take a streamer. Extremely wary fish must be approached with extreme caution. Pirarucú have both gills and a modified air bladder that acts as a lung, which is used to gulp in air. These fish have an unsettling habit of surfacing close to your boat like a giant prehistoric submarine. Tarpon-sized tackle is absolutely necessary for these giants. An 11-12-weight rod, 400-grain sink-tip line, heavy leaders, and large streamers tied on 4/0 heavy saltwater hooks are standard equipment. Make note of the fact that a great deal of time must be devoted to the fish if using a fly rod, even though pirarucú are found in good numbers mainly in Brazil and Peru.
A close relative of the pirarucú is the aruanã (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum). These fish can in rare cases reach a maximum weight of about fifteen pounds. Aruanã are extremely surface-oriented and can often be sight-fished as they cruise about just below the surface in schools in search of prey. The same lures used for smaller peacocks, and especially love Heddon Zara spooks are recommended. A 7-8-weight fly rod, floating line and variety of medium-sized poppers and sliders (2/0) make for some exciting fishing. When hooked, aruanã repeatedly jump like a baby tarpon.
Aruanã (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum)
Because of its ability to leap more than six feet out of the water, the natives call this odd looking silver creature macaco d'agua, the "water monkey." Aruanã feed on small fish as well as insects, small birds, bats and reptiles, which they will often snatch from overhanging branches. Large, light-reflecting, opalescent scales and fluid swimming movements make them underwater billboards for the sight-fishing angler. They take a bait by opening their cargo-door mouth, inhaling it, and then closing the gate. Aruana are highly prized as a game fish in Brazil and is also a very interesting and popular aquarium fish. One of the few remaining survivors from the Jurassic period, they give observers a peek into a prehistoric world.
Osteoglossid Reproduction
In areas of sandy bottoms, the arapima fans a large circle free of debris. Eggs are laid in a nest of two to three feet in diameter. The aruanã has two fleshy barbels on its lower jaw and is a mouth brooder. Males carry the relatively small number of eggs and young in their mouths increasing the chance for survival.
Characins — Dorado, Yatorana and Matrinchá
Salminus maxillosus and S. hilarii, or freshwater dorado, are a distinct migratory game fish not to be confused with the saltwater dolphin fish which is also called el dorado in many Spanish-speaking countries. The freshwater dorado is best described as a prehistoric golden trout or salmon with the jaws of a pit bull terrier. Ichthyologists have appropriately given the southern species of dorado the Latin name Salminus maxillosus. Salminus, meaning trout-like, and maxillosus refers to its immensely powerful jaws. Dorado hit hard, are incredibly strong, acrobatic fighters that attain weights in excess of thirty pounds. They are South America's version of a "tropical trout" and are commonly found throughout a massive watershed between southern Brazil/Bolivia and Northern Argentina. Amazingly, freshwater dorado remain a little-known game fish in the United States.
Conventional gear for these fish is virtually the same as that mentioned in the trophy peacock bass section, emphasizing that a wire leader is essential. Because dorado are usually not surface oriented fish, seven-inch jerk baits, Rattle Trap-type lures, spoons, and jigs are most effective.
Use an 8-9-weight fly rod and either a 200-grain, 24-foot sink tip line or a full floating line depending upon water conditions. A heavy steel leader is a must because these fish will chew through hundred pound line like it's sewing thread! Dorado take a variety of streamers, sliders and even Atlantic salmon-style Bombers during ideal conditions, all on 3/0 heavy long shank hooks. The strongest populations of dorado are found in Northern Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia.
The bocón or palambra/yatorana (Holobrycon pesu) is a close relative of the dorado. This is a migratory, fast water fish found throughout the Amazon basin. Smaller than the dorado, bocón live and behave almost exactly like them, so they can be fished on slightly lighter tackle. Bolivia has the best populations of these fish.
Matrinchá (Brycon falcatus) are a very close cousin to the bocón. They look almost exactly alike. This fish has an affinity for small baitfish and terrestrial insects. It can be taken on small spoons, jigs, and jerk baits, or small streamers and ant or beetle imitations in fast water. The matrinchã area seems to be only in the Brazilian Amazon.
Yatorana
Yatorana, called bocón in Colombia and Venezuela, run in schools and jump and fight like dorado; therefore once you're into them, the action is fast and furious.
Yatorana can weigh upwards of fifteen pounds.
Matrinchá
Matrinchá are fierce fighters on light tackle. They strike baits at high speed and continue moving right through the drag. They're out of the water and flying through the air within seconds.
A young specimen of matrinchá shows off its brightly marked tail and dorsal fins but these highlights fade and ultimately disappear in older specimens.
Tambaqui / Cachama
Members of the sub-family Colossoma of the Characidae, tambaqui (Colossoma macroponum) are physically built like a stocky permit or jack, about like a trash can lid with fins. The back is a pleasant grey-blue which fades into a purple-brown shade near the belly. An omnivorous distant relative of the piranha, tambaqui have dazzling teeth which look exactly like a set of human dentures. These fish have amazing jaw strength because they often feed on hard, rock-like jungle seeds, and can easily crush a 4/0 saltwater hook.
Tambaqui, a migratory fish, reside in fast currents and are perfectly fit for such an environment. They have huge anal fins and extremely wide, thick tails. When hooked they use their powerful oval body against the current and make incredible runs. When the force of the water is added to their own power, they can be unstoppable even with the heaviest of terminal tackle. The locals know these fish' strength, so they fish for them with stout green saplings secured to 120-pound monofilament, heavy cable, and 6/0 tuna hooks! One in three tambaqui will jump when hooked, and it is a spectacular sight when such a huge fish throws itself out of the water. The Bolivian strain are particularly aggressive and take flies and lures with abandon.
Terminal tackle for these fish is the same that is used for big peacock bass, dorado, and payara. Fifty-pound braid and an equally stout wire leader are essential. Top lures include Blue Fox Vibrax spinners (#5), Yo Zuri Squid, bucktail jigs, and 5-inch jerk baits. A tip if you really want to catch tambaqui: dead drift a sweet piece of jungle fruit on a 5/0 super stout live bait hook!
Tambaqui should be fished with nothing less than a stout 9-weight fly rod because they tend to use the current to make extremely powerful runs. These fish will take the same flies listed in the dorado section, including heavily-dressed 3/0 Cloussers and Muddlers. They seem to prefer blue for some strange reason. They also take "fruit flies," which are nothing more than brightly colored deer hair (yellow or bright orange are best) spun and clipped to look like an apricot.
The Fish, the Forest and the Fruit
Tambaqui is the largest of all the characins, and are creatures of the Amazon's flooded forest. The pulsating nature of Amazonian lowland rivers creates vast flooded forests during the region's long rainy seasons. Rivers flood their banks and inundate adjacent varzea (flooded) forests. The area's wildlife flocks to the new border between land and water to feast on a banquet of flowers and fruits.
Tambaqui are an integral part of the flooding cycle. They become an important mechanism for seed dispersal as they feed on the bounty of fruits and nuts that drop into the water. Many jungle fruits contain an outer pulp and a hard inner seed or seeds. All of the small seeds ingested are not crushed by the powerful jaws of the tambaqui. The seeds are scarified by the digestive process and then excreted through the digestive system, often far from the parent tree. When the waters recede later, the prepared seed will sprout in the new area free from flood waters, far from where it came.
When the varzea drains, well-fed tambaqui leave the small tributaries for the main rivers and form large migrating schools. Fat reserves, built up during the rainy season enable them during their upriver journeys and ensuing spawning. It's believed that their eggs are dispersed in the grassy levees along the river. During the dry season, slim pickings are available for tambaqui, and then they often turn to small fish and insects to help satisfy hunger.
Because tambaqui are an important food fish, they are now being raised by aquaculture techniques to meet the market demand. Thus, preservation of natural populations is virtually assured.
Pacu and Piranha
The pacú/morocoto (Piaractus brachypomus) is a smaller relative of the giant tambaqui. Morocoto will take Rat-L-Traps, large grasshoppers and dead-drifted fruit. Fly casters should use 2/0 Clousser Minnows and especially fruit-colored Glo Bugs dead-drifted in trout/salmon fashion. There are at least half a dozen other smaller species, collectively called pacú in Brazil, Venezuela, and Colombia. One Brazilian species takes a "bread fly" in moving water like a trout sipping a dry fly.
Over a dozen species of piranha (Serrasalmus sp.) swim the rivers from Argentina to Venezuela. Some grow larger than six pounds and can be fantastic light tackle catches (especially on smaller spinning/casting rods or a 5-6-weight fly rod). Piranha are not picky eaters and take literally anything remotely resembling a baitfish. A small Rat-L-Trap tipped with meat is assured success. Piranha can be quite a nuisance when they destroy your lures or that custom-tied streamer the second it hits the water.
Payara
Payara/Peixe Cachorro (Hydrolicus scomberoides) is a ferocious migratory game fish from the family Cynodontidae. They are constructed somewhat like a large Atlantic salmon and have a similar metallic silver sheen. The payara mouth is what sets them apart from all other game fish, displaying an intimidating set of razor sharp fangs protruding from the lower jaw like two glistening ivory spikes.
Payara take both lures and flies in extremely fast water with such savage force that the rod can be ripped from your grasp. A large, hooked payara will effortlessly peel off 150 yards of line/backing despite a thirty-pound leader, strong drag, and a stiff rod. These fish make repeated salmon-style jumps, adding to its allure. Payara receive much less press than peacock bass, but many anglers rate them above peacocks in terms of both sheer strength, stamina and overall fighting ability!
Gear for payara is more or less the same as that mentioned in the trophy peacock bass and dorado sections and must include wire leader. Usually not surface oriented, big Rapalas, 7-inch jerk baits, Rat-L-Trap type lures, spoons and jigs are most productive.
Payara are fished with a slightly heavier 9-10-weight fly rod and either a 300 or 400-grain, 24-foot sink tip line, depending upon water conditions. A full floating line may be used only during extreme conditions because they prefer to reside in a deep, fast current. A heavy mono leader tipped with stout steel tippet is necessary. Payara will take a variety of large streamers, but prefer heavily-dressed Cloussers and Muddlers tied onto a 4/0 heavy saltwater tarpon hook.
Several smaller species of payara/peixe-cachorra (Hydrolicus and Rhaphiodon Sp.) are found throughout South America. All species are fast, vicious predators, but most rarely exceed five pounds. Venezuela offers the best chance for catching giant trophy payara at Uraima Falls, the Caura River and several sections of the Orinoco and Ventuari Rivers.
Payara combine some of the best characteristics known among fighting fish to take the angling experience to another level. They are extremely aggressive and make intensely powerful strikes peeling off line in long fast runs, and hurling their huge, slab like bodies high into the air. These fish would rarely be landed if they were commonly found in the same "small-water" conditions as peacock bass.
Traira and Aimara
One of my Brazilian guides once referred to guabina/traira and aimara/trairão as "giant bars of soap with a mouth full of teeth." These are ferocious, prehistoric looking fish and are reminiscent of the ancient coelacanth, or a cross between a bowfin and a carp. The guabina, or traira in Brazil, is the smaller of the two species and reaches a top weight of about ten pounds. They are found in the Paraná River drainage from the northern Amazonian periphery in Venezuela all the way to central Argentina. The prefer slack water and strike largemouth bass-sized topwater lures or fly rod poppers and sliders with reckless abandon. Do not forget your wire leaders. The perfect equipment for these bruisers is a 7-8-weight rod spooled with floating line and a stout butt section tied to fairly heavy wire.
The traira's larger cousin, the aimara or trairão is truly the stuff of angling nightmares. The aimara can weigh in excess of fifty pounds and eats anything it damned well pleases. Big jerk baits, spoons, jigs, streamers and or large sliders/poppers fished in the eddies and pools adjacent to fast water are all susceptible to attack. This evil-looking fish behaves like a tarpon and jumps repeatedly once hooked. Obviously, heavy conventional tackle is required to get one of these monsters in the boat. Use at least a 10-weight rod, stout 4/0 stainless saltwater hooks, heavy butt and wire leader. These huge fish have a reputation for heading headlong into the nearest available timber and rocks. The two best regions to catch these fish are at Uraima Falls, in the tributaries feeding into Venezuela's Guri Lake, and several western and southern tributaries in the Brazilian Amazon.
Pike-like Characins
The bicuda/aguja (Boulengerella maculata) is a powerful, fast water fish that is found mixed in with the other previously mentioned species. Its maximum size is about ten pounds and it is an acrobatic fighter.
Picúa/cachorra (Acestrorhynchus falcatus) resembles a freshwater barracuda that roams about in small packs terrorizing schools of baitfish. These fish average only two pounds maximum, but are extremely aggressive, plentiful, and hard fighting. Suggested tackle would be light conventional rods or a 5-6-weight fly rod.
Sardinata — Saltwater Transplants
The Sardinata/apapá (Amazon pellona) is a clupeid fish is a little known migratory game fish that is related to tarpon and fights like tarpon. This fish averages about eight pounds, but commonly reaches upwards of twenty pounds. Sardinata look similar to a small tarpon except for a brilliant golden holographic coloration, akin to that of the freshwater dorado. These "golden freshwater tarpon" typically reside in fast water and will recklessly take both flies and lures. Being extremely top water oriented, sardinata actually prefer noisy surface flies and lures rather than subsurface alternatives. Zara spooks and popping-type surface baits are best for these scrappers. Fly casters have the best luck throwing 2/0 Gaine's-style poppers on an 8-weight rod spooled with a weight-forward floating line. The strike of a sardinata is nearly as violent as that of the ferocious peacock bass, and once hooked, these fish run and jump repeatedly just like their peacock cousins. Because they are a schooling fish, once one is hooked, more strikes will follow. Sardinata are found throughout the Orinoco drainage as well as many Amazon tributaries. In my experience, the Caura River in Venezuela has the best populations of these fish.
The pescada, also known as corvina (Plagioscion squamosissimus), is a freshwater croaker closely related to saltwater drum, including black drum and redfish. It is fished deep and sometimes taken on deep-diving crank baits, jigs and/or streamers.
Catfish
Many species of catfish are found throughout the Amazon and Paraná drainages. Sizes range from the tiny candirú (Pygidiidae), a parasitic catfish that lodges itself in the urethral openings of other fish or animals or humans, to the monstrous lau lau or valentón/piraiba (Brachyplatystoma filamentosum). The lau lau is said to grow over ten feet long and weigh in excess of five hundred pounds.
Cut or whole bait, fished deep on an 8-10/0 circle hook is deadly. A stout offshore rod/reel combo spooled with 130-pound braid is recommended as these Moby Dick monsters can literally tow a sixteen-foot bass boat upstream!
Many Amazonian catfish will aggressively take a fly, including several species collectively called bagre rayado (Pseudoplatystoma sp.). These catfish are nothing like our locals which tend to bottom-feed and are rather lethargic. Many of the larger species of Amazonian catfish are migratory, extremely active and aggressive predators. They live in fast water and actively feed with the other previously mentioned game fish. Pound for pound, these are as strong - if not stronger - than any fish I've hooked on a rod and reel
Forage Species
By studying what they eat, anglers often learn much about the species they pursue because predator species typically base their movements, behavior, and even life cycles on the habits of their prey. Hundreds of species of baitfish are found throughout the basin, and below are some of the most common found and eaten species. Many of these are recognized as common aquarium species.
Catch and Release
Almost every single fish pictured in this article and throughout our website was safely returned to the water after being photographed. On rare occasions, a specimen may be injured or selected for our table. We never sacrifice rare or large specimens. We firmly believe in catch and release fishing and we do everything in our power to preserve and protect the remarkable natural wonders that it is our privilege to enjoy.
Special thanks to Garrett VeneKlausen.