Aracu pinima
Leporinus affinis — known to Amazonian anglers as aracu-pinima or aracu-flamengo — is one of several migratory aracu species that move through the Amazon basin in large seasonal schools.
A staple of the commercial fishery and a familiar catch for subsistence and sport anglers alike, it shows up across the Central Amazon, the estuary, and the Tocantins drainage.
Its plant-heavy diet and predictable migration make it a reliable target when you know the timing.
Scientific Name: Leporinus affinis
Also known as Aracu-pinima, Aracu-flamengo, Piau-flamengo, Piau-pinima, Araçu pinima, Timboré pichó
- Elongated, torpedo-shaped body with bold dark horizontal stripes or bands running the length of the flanks — the pattern that earns it the name "pinima" (spotted/striped).
- Blunt, slightly downturned snout with strong incisiform teeth adapted for cropping plant material; fins are typically clear to pale yellow.
- Most fish run 25–40 cm (roughly 10–16 inches); specimens approaching 4 lbs are possible but not common in sport catches.
- Easily confused with related aracu species — look for the combination of stripe pattern and blunt snout to separate it from the broader Leporinus and Schizodon group.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the Amazon basin; found across the Central Amazon, the lower Amazon estuary (including waters around Marajó Island), and the Tocantins drainage.
- Moves through slow-moving river channels, flooded forest (igapó and várzea), oxbow lakes, and tributary mouths — habitat that shifts dramatically with the flood pulse.
- During high water, fish disperse into flooded forest to feed on fallen fruits and seeds; as water drops they concentrate back into main channels and lakes.
- The Central Amazon accounts for the bulk of recorded catches, with significant presence also in the estuary region.
Key Locations
- Central Amazon — the core of the commercial and subsistence fishery, accounting for the majority of recorded aracu catches in Brazil.
- Amazon estuary and the waters around Marajó Island — a significant secondary fishery zone where aracu are caught in the inner delta.
- Tocantins drainage — a notable aracu-producing region, representing a meaningful share of total Brazilian catch.
- Lower Amazon corridor — moderate catches recorded as fish move between floodplain and main channel habitats.
Specific Spots
- Tributary mouths and channel edges during the receding flood — fish funnel through these pinch points as flooded forest drains back into main rivers.
- Flooded forest margins at high water, where overhanging trees drop fruit and seeds directly into the water and fish hold just below the canopy edge.
- Oxbow lakes and floodplain lagoons connected to the main river, which concentrate fish as water levels fall and exits narrow.
- Mid-water column near submerged vegetation or woody debris, where aracu shelter between feeding bouts.
Aracu pinima FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Aracu pinima?
Small natural baits, fruit pieces, seeds, or dough baits made from plant material, are the traditional and most effective approach, matching the fish's primary diet directly.
When is the best time to fish for Aracu pinima?
Wet season (roughly November through April), fish disperse into flooded forest and feed heavily on fruits and seeds; accessible to anglers working the forest edge by canoe or small boat.
How do you catch Aracu pinima?
Most aracu-pinima in Brazil are taken during the two annual migrations, when schools move predictably through main channels and can be intercepted with gill nets or hook-and-line at tributary mouths and channel constrictions.
What do Aracu pinima eat?
Primarily fruits, seeds, and herbaceous plant material, during the wet season, fish move into flooded forest specifically to feed on fruits dropping from riverside trees. Surface presentations near fruiting trees can draw strikes.
Where do Aracu pinima live?
Native to the Amazon basin; found across the Central Amazon, the lower Amazon estuary (including waters around Marajó Island), and the Tocantins drainage.
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