Dentudo
The dentudo — also called biara — is a long-bodied, fang-toothed characin that roams the major river systems of Brazil's Amazon, Orinoco drainage, and Paraná basin.
It's a legitimate gamefish target for Brazilian anglers who fish the Amazon and Pantanal regions, prized for its distinctive saber-like lower canines and fast, open-water hunting style.
Not as widely publicized as the tucunaré or dourado, but well known to local fishermen throughout its range.
Scientific Name: Rhaphiodon vulpinus
Also known as Biara, Chafalote, Peixe-cachorro, Peixe-cadela, Ripa, Saranha, Dentudo
- Extremely elongated, laterally compressed body — far more slender than most other large characins sharing the same water.
- Two prominent, elongated canine teeth in the lower jaw that fit into sheaths in the roof of the mouth when closed — the defining ID feature.
- Dorsal fin sits unusually far back on the body, positioned over or behind the anal fin — unlike any similar-sized river predator in Brazil.
- Reaches up to 80 cm and around 2.1 kg; most fish caught by anglers run considerably smaller.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to Brazil; found across the Amazon basin, the Paraná-Paraguay-Uruguay river system, and rivers of the Guianas.
- A pelagic, open-water fish in tropical freshwater — moves through the water column rather than holding tight to bottom structure.
- Present in the Pantanal's river systems as well as the major Amazonian tributaries, giving it one of the widest freshwater distributions of any Brazilian gamefish.
- Potamodromous — makes seasonal migrations within river systems, likely tied to water levels and prey movements.
Key Locations
- Amazon basin — the dentudo's core range in Brazil, present throughout the main river and its major tributaries.
- Pantanal — the Paraguay-Paraná drainage system puts this fish within reach of one of Brazil's most-visited fishing regions.
- Rio Xingu — Amazonian tributary where a range of large characins, including the dentudo, are encountered by anglers fishing the region.
Specific Spots
- Open-water channels and main river currents where schools of small baitfish concentrate — the dentudo hunts in the water column, not on the bottom.
- Current seams and confluences where tributary flows meet the main river, creating baitfish aggregations that draw feeding fish.
- Edges of flooded forest during high water, where prey fish move into the shallows and predators follow the margin.
Dentudo FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Dentudo?
Slender hard minnow plugs and stick baits that imitate small baitfish, retrieved steadily through the water column to match the dentudo's mid-water hunting zone. Metal spoons and slim jigs in silver or white, worked with a fast, erratic retrieve to trigger reaction strikes from a fish built to chase fast-moving prey.
When is the best time to fish for Dentudo?
Low-water season (roughly June–November in much of the Amazon basin) concentrates fish in main channels and makes them more accessible to anglers.
How do you catch Dentudo?
Brazilian anglers typically target dentudo from boats, casting slender lures or drifting live baitfish through open river channels and current seams. The fish's pelagic habits mean covering water matters more than anchoring on a single piece of structure.
What do Dentudo eat?
Primarily fish-eating, the long canine teeth are built for spearing and holding slippery baitfish. Match this with slim, fast-moving lures that imitate small river fish: slender jigs, metal spoons, or hard minnow-style plugs in natural silver or white.
Where do Dentudo live?
Native to Brazil; found across the Amazon basin, the Paraná-Paraguay-Uruguay river system, and rivers of the Guianas. A pelagic, open-water fish in tropical freshwater, moves through the water column rather than holding tight to bottom structure.
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