Mangrullo
The pintado is one of Brazil's most recognizable freshwater catfish — a large, spotted predator native to the São Francisco and Paraná river basins.
It draws serious attention from sport anglers and commercial fishers alike, particularly in the Pantanal and along the São Francisco. Few Brazilian freshwater fish match it for sheer size and the challenge of pulling one from deep current.
Scientific Name: Pseudoplatystoma corruscans
Also known as Pintado, Spotted sorubim, Surubim pintado, Mangrullo
- Dark olive-brown back covered in dense black spots; cream to white belly — the only spotted Pseudoplatystoma, which separates it from the tiger-patterned surubim species.
- Wide, flat, shovel-shaped head with a mouth that spans its full width; two long maxillary barbels extend from the upper jaw, two shorter ones from the lower.
- Fusiform body that tapers to a powerful caudal fin — the fish drives most of its speed and strike force from that tail, not body undulation.
- Commonly caught at 10–40 kg; the species can exceed 100 kg and reach over 160 cm, with females typically growing larger than males.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to Brazil; its range covers the São Francisco basin and the upper Paraná basin, including the Pantanal wetlands system.
- A migratory freshwater species — moves through large, fast-flowing rivers and does not tolerate still or enclosed water well.
- Prefers soft, neutral to slightly acidic water; typically found near the bottom in deep river channels and around submerged structure.
- Not present in the Amazon basin proper — anglers targeting it should focus on the São Francisco and Paraná drainages, not Amazonian waters.
Key Locations
- Rio São Francisco — the species' type locality and one of its core ranges in Brazil, fished from Minas Gerais downstream.
- Pantanal wetlands (upper Paraná/Paraguay drainage) — seasonal flooding and the concentration of fish in receding waters make this one of the most productive pintado fisheries in the country.
- Upper Paraná basin — historically important range, though dam construction has altered migration corridors in parts of this system.
Specific Spots
- Deep river channels and current seams in large rivers — pintado hold near the bottom where flow concentrates baitfish and smaller prey.
- Submerged rocks, fallen timber, and undercut banks give the fish a place to stage before moving into current to feed.
- Drop-offs at the edges of sandbars and river bends, where depth changes quickly and prey gets funneled through a narrow zone.
- During high-water periods in the Pantanal, fish push into flooded margins; as water drops, they concentrate back into main channels and deeper pools.
Mangrullo FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Mangrullo?
Live or cut baitfish fished on the bottom is the most traditional and consistently productive method, match the size of local forage species in the river you're fishing.
When is the best time to fish for Mangrullo?
Dry season (roughly May–September) concentrates fish in main river channels and deeper pools as water levels drop, generally the most reliable time to locate and target them.
How do you catch Mangrullo?
Most anglers fish for pintado from boats, anchoring or drifting over deep channel structure and presenting live or cut baitfish near the bottom. Night fishing is particularly productive given the species' preference for low-light feeding.
What do Mangrullo eat?
Primarily fish-eating, feeds on smaller fish species it can run down or intercept in current. Lures and baits that imitate live fish (whole baitfish, large shad-style lures, or heavy jigs) are the standard approach. Also takes other aquatic prey when available.
Where do Mangrullo live?
Native to Brazil; its range covers the São Francisco basin and the upper Paraná basin, including the Pantanal wetlands system. A migratory freshwater species, moves through large, fast-flowing rivers and does not tolerate still or enclosed water well.
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