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The 'Tambaqui' (''Colossoma macropomum'') is a freshwater fish of the subfamily Serrasalminae, family Characidae. It is also known by the names 'Pacu', 'Black pacu', 'Black-finned pacu', 'Giant pacu', and 'Gamitana'. It is the only species of the genus '''Colossoma'''.
Fossils of a living species of ''Colossoma'' from the Miocene have been described, suggesting a very conservative history for a specialized herbivorous fish.^[1]

Contents

Distribution

Description

Ecology

Relationship to humans

References

Distribution

The tambaqui is the largest characin of South America. The tambaqui is found in the Amazon and Orinoco basins in its wild form. However, its pisciculture form largely distributed in South America.

Description

It may reach more than 1 metres in total length and 30 kilograms in total weight.
Similar in shape to the piranha and part of the source of the confusion the ''pacu'' is a tall, laterally compressed fish with large eyes and a slightly arched back. Body color is basic black to gray with spots and blemishes in its mid body. All the fins are black and the pectoral fins are small. Around 10 percent of a tambaqui's weight is fat.

Ecology

This species is usually solitary. Adults stay in flooded forests during the first 5 months of flooding and consume fruits and grains. Young and juveniles live in black waters of flood plains until sexual maturity. The tambaqui feeds on zooplankton, insects, snails, and decaying plants.

Relationship to humans

The tambaqui is used in aquaculture because it can live in mineral poor waters and is very resistant to diseases. This species is marketed fresh and frozen.

References

1. Fishes of the World, , Joseph S., Nelson, John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2006,