Aracu
Aracu is a collective name for several Leporinus and related species that rank among the most commercially important small fish in the Amazon basin.
Caught from the Central Amazon to the Tocantins and the Marajó Island estuary, they show up in local markets and on hooks alike. For sport anglers, aracu are a reliable, accessible target — scrappy for their size and willing to bite a range of baits.
Scientific Name: Leporinus guttatus
Also known as Aracu-paca, Aracu-branco, Aracu-flamengo, Aracu-pinima, Piau-flamengo, Striped Leporinus, Banded Leporinus
- Bold yellow-and-black banded or spotted pattern depending on species; the banded forms (L. fasciatus) show 9–10 distinct black bars on a yellow body at maturity.
- Distinctive rabbit-like front teeth and a slightly downturned snout — a hallmark of the headstander family (Anostomidae) that sets them apart from tetras or piranhas at a glance.
- Slender, torpedo-shaped body; most species run 10–18 inches and under 2 lbs, though some individuals reach 4 lbs.
- Younger fish carry fewer black bands than adults; bands split and multiply as the fish grows, making band count a rough age indicator.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native throughout the Amazon basin in Brazil, with the heaviest concentrations in the Central Amazon around Manaus and along the Rio Solimões-Amazonas corridor into Pará.
- Also present in the Tocantins drainage and the inner Amazon estuary, including the waters around Marajó Island.
- During the dry season, aracu hold in main river channels and lakes; when the wet season floods the forest, they spread into várzea (flooded forest) and igapó habitats to feed on fallen fruit and seeds.
- Prefer slow to moderate current — backwater lakes, flooded forest margins, and tributary mouths rather than fast whitewater.
Key Locations
- Central Amazon around Manaus — accounts for roughly 63% of total aracu catch; the Rio Solimões-Amazonas floodplain is the core of their range.
- Marajó Island and the inner Amazon estuary — a significant secondary fishery, particularly in the inner delta channels.
- Tocantins River drainage — one of the more productive regions outside the main Amazon, contributing around 12% of recorded catch.
- Lower Amazon corridor between Santarém and the estuary — moderate but consistent catches, especially during migration periods.
Specific Spots
- Flooded forest edges during high water — aracu move in to feed on fruits and seeds dropping from overhanging trees, so work the tree line.
- Tributary mouths and lake inlets where current slows; aracu school up in these transition zones, especially during their seasonal migrations.
- Sandy and rocky river margins with submerged structure; they forage along the bottom and mid-column near rocks and submerged logs.
- Floodplain lakes (lagos de várzea) during receding water, when fish concentrate as habitat shrinks — a prime window for gill-net fishermen and rod-and-line anglers alike.
Aracu FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Aracu?
Natural baits dominate, earthworms, small grubs, and dough baits made from corn, manioc, or mashed fruit are the go-to choices for local anglers targeting aracu. Small spinners and tiny crankbaits in natural colors can draw strikes when aracu are actively feeding on invertebrates along rocky or sandy margins.
When is the best time to fish for Aracu?
Wet season (roughly November–April): aracu spread into flooded forest, feeding heavily on fruits and seeds, the most active and accessible period for anglers.
How do you catch Aracu?
Most aracu fishing in Brazil is done from small boats or the bank using light spinning tackle or hand lines with natural bait, working flooded forest edges and lake margins. During the two annual migrations, anglers and commercial fishermen intercept schools in river channels and tributary mouths.
What do Aracu eat?
Primarily plant material, fruits, seeds, and aquatic vegetation, especially during the wet season when flooded forest puts food directly in the water. Small fruit-imitating baits or dough baits made from mashed fruit or corn work on this feeding behavior.
Where do Aracu live?
Native throughout the Amazon basin in Brazil, with the heaviest concentrations in the Central Amazon around Manaus and along the Rio Solimões-Amazonas corridor into Pará. Also present in the Tocantins drainage and the inner Amazon estuary, including the waters around Marajó Island.
See it in the app
Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Aracu.
- 01 · Species map filter
Map every Aracu water
Pick Aracu 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 Aracu
Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.
Stop guessing where Aracu are.
Open the map, filter by Aracu, 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.