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, Cachama and Gamitana. It is the only species of the genus Colossoma.
The tambaqui is the largest characin of South America, can be found in the Amazon and Orinoco basins in its wild form. However, its pisciculture form largely distributed in South America.
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.
Male and female tambaqui can be differentiate by looking the abdomental/ventral part. The female's is bigger, and the male's ventral is thinner and the colour is brighter.
They're breeding in the rainy season, like June-July in the Amazone and Venezuela. Mostly they're gathering at headwaters for the breeding.
It may reach more than 1 metres in total length and 30 kilograms in total weight. It is similar in shape to the piranha and is sometimes confused with the carnivorous fish (the pacu is tall and laterally compressed 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. The world record recognized by IGFA belongs to the Brazilian Jorge Masullo de Aguiar with 32,4 kg.
Male and female tambaqui can be differentiate by looking the abdomental/ventral part. The female's is bigger, and the male's ventral is thinner and the colour is brighter.
They're breeding in the rainy season, like June-July in the Amazone and Venezuela. Mostly they're gathering at headwaters for the breeding.
It may reach more than 1 metres in total length and 30 kilograms in total weight. It is similar in shape to the piranha and is sometimes confused with the carnivorous fish (the pacu is tall and laterally compressed 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. The world record recognized by IGFA belongs to the Brazilian Jorge Masullo de Aguiar with 32,4 kg.
Teeth of Pacu 
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