Cucharón
The cucharón is a flat-headed, long-snouted catfish native to the Río de la Plata basin. In Argentina it turns up in the Paraná, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Río de la Plata systems, where it's taken mostly as bycatch or for the table.
Small enough to fit in a cast net, it's also prized in the ornamental fish trade — its striking markings have made it an aquarium export.
Scientific Name: Sorubim lima
Also known as Bagre cucharón, Mandubé cucharón, Pico de pato, Patí zapatilla, Cucharita, Paleta, Lija, Manduví
- Scaleless body with bony plates; head strongly flattened and elongated, upper jaw projecting well past the lower and exposing the tooth bands — the feature that gives it its spoon-bill name.
- Dark brown-grey on the back fading to yellowish then silvery-white below the lateral line; a bold black stripe runs from the gill cover to the base of the tail.
- Fins are reddish to pinkish; eyes are small and set far to the sides of the flat head.
- Typical adults run to around 40 cm; maximum recorded length is about 54 cm at roughly 1.3 kg. Handle with care — pectoral spines are razor-sharp.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the Río de la Plata basin in Argentina, including the Paraná, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Río de la Plata proper.
- A bottom-dwelling freshwater species that favors warm tropical water, generally between 23 °C and 30 °C.
- Moves through the water column close to the substrate in large river channels and their connected floodplain lakes and backwaters.
- Prefers slightly acidic to neutral water (pH 6.5–7.8) and tolerates moderate hardness.
Key Locations
- Río Paraná (middle and lower reaches) — the main river channel and its associated backwaters hold resident populations year-round.
- Río Paraguay (Argentine stretch) — part of the species' core range in the country.
- Río Uruguay (middle and lower sections) — confirmed distribution according to Argentine fisheries records.
- Río de la Plata estuary — the downstream limit of its range in Argentina.
Specific Spots
- Deep holes and undercut banks in large river channels — the cucharón hugs the bottom and uses structural relief to rest during daylight hours.
- Submerged timber and root tangles in floodplain backwaters, where it waits for small fish and crustaceans to move through at night.
- Current seams where slower water meets the main flow — baitfish concentrate here and the cucharón follows.
Cucharón FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Cucharón?
Fresh cut-bait from small river fish (mojarras, small sabalo) fished on a bottom rig is the go-to; the cucharón's piscivorous diet means it responds well to anything that smells and moves like a wounded baitfish.
When is the best time to fish for Cucharón?
Summer (December–March), peak activity and spawning season; warm water temperatures bring the fish into shallower floodplain areas. Autumn (April–May), fish remain active as temperatures begin to drop; still catchable on bottom rigs in main channels.
How do you catch Cucharón?
Most cucharón fishing in Argentina happens incidentally, anglers bottom-fishing for surubí or patí at night in the Paraná and Paraguay systems hook them on cut-bait rigs. Dedicated targeting means fishing after dark with fresh bait pinned to the bottom near structure, working deep holes and timber-lined banks.
What do Cucharón eat?
Feeds mainly on small fish and crustaceans. On the hook, fresh cut-bait or live small fish fished on the bottom is the most reliable approach, match the size of the bait to the fish's relatively small mouth.
Where do Cucharón live?
Native to the Río de la Plata basin in Argentina, including the Paraná, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Río de la Plata proper. A bottom-dwelling freshwater species that favors warm tropical water, generally between 23 °C and 30 °C.
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