Tararira ñata
The Golden Trahira is a compact, lesser-known member of the Erythrinidae family — the same group as the common tararira — tucked into the lagoons, esteros, and bañados of South America's Paraná-Paraguay basin.
In the San Miguel area of Corrientes, Argentina, locals call it 'pirajú,' meaning 'black fish,' a name that hints at how distinct it looks from its relatives. Its range appears to be expanding, with recent first records documented in Uruguay.
Scientific Name: Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus
Also known as Tararira Dorada, Golden Trahira, Pirajú
- Golden to yellowish body coloration — the feature behind both its Spanish name (Tararira Dorada) and English name (Golden Trahira) — sets it apart from the darker common tararira found in the same waters.
- Compact Erythrinidae build, well-suited to threading through dense aquatic vegetation in shallow backwaters.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- A backwater specialist of the Paraná-Paraguay fluvial corridor, with confirmed records from the wetlands of Corrientes, Argentina, and recent documentation in Uruguay suggesting a range extension.
- Lagoons, esteros (seasonally flooded wetlands), and bañados (marshes) with dense vegetation and slow or still water are its core habitat.
Specific Spots
- Shallow lagoon interiors with heavy aquatic vegetation — the kind of water where most fish won't go — are where this species holds, using plant cover to its advantage in low-oxygen conditions.
- Flooded marsh edges connected to larger river systems during high-water periods, when fish push into newly inundated backwaters.
Tararira ñata FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Tararira ñata?
No species-specific lure data is documented. Local anglers in Corrientes are the best source for what's working, this is a regional specialty with a thin published angling record.
What do Tararira ñata eat?
No species-specific diet data is documented in available research. Given the extremely limited angling record for this species, bait and lure selection is best guided by local knowledge from anglers fishing Corrientes and neighboring waters.
Where do Tararira ñata live?
A backwater specialist of the Paraná-Paraguay fluvial corridor, with confirmed records from the wetlands of Corrientes, Argentina, and recent documentation in Uruguay suggesting a range extension.
See it in the app
Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Tararira ñata.
- 01 · Species map filter
Map every Tararira ñata water
Pick Tararira ñata and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.
- 02 · Waterbody species
Tap any water. See what lives there.
Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.
- 03 · Angler Intelligence
Ask how to catch Tararira ñata
Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.
Stop guessing where Tararira ñata are.
Open the map, filter by Tararira ñata, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.
- Species map filter
- Angler Intelligence
- Fishing journal
Explore other species
Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.
No species information available.
Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.
onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.