Pejerrey
Odontesthes perugiae is a small silverside native to the lower rio Paraná, lower rio Uruguay, and rio Negro drainages — waters that reach into southern Brazil. In Brazil it sits in the shadow of its larger relative O.
bonariensis, but where it appears it draws local anglers with light tackle, particularly in the lagoon and river systems of Rio Grande do Sul.
Scientific Name: Odontesthes perugiae
Also known as Pejerrey, peixe-rei
- Slender, torpedo-shaped body covered in bright silver scales with a faint greenish or olive back — classic silverside coloration.
- A distinct silver lateral stripe runs the full length of the flank, the clearest field mark separating it from other small schooling fish in the same drainages.
- Translucent fins and a forked tail; smaller than O. bonariensis, which can reach 50 cm — O. perugiae runs noticeably smaller.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the lower rio Paraná, lower rio Uruguay, and rio Negro basins; in Brazil this means the southern drainages of Rio Grande do Sul state.
- Occupies freshwater and brackish environments: coastal lagoons, slow river stretches, and estuarine margins within its range.
- Lagoa dos Patos and associated lagoon systems in Rio Grande do Sul represent the northern edge of the broader pejerrey range in Brazil.
Key Locations
- Rio Grande do Sul state — the southern lagoon and river systems here sit within the species' documented range in the Río de la Plata drainage.
- Lower rio Uruguay drainage along the Brazil-Argentina border, where the species has been recorded.
Specific Spots
- Schools gather near the surface over open water in lagoons, particularly where wind-driven currents concentrate small invertebrates and zooplankton.
- Along vegetated margins and shallow flats in slow river backwaters, where food drifts in and cover is close.
- Transition zones between freshwater and brackish water in coastal lagoons — salinity gradients attract baitfish and the pejerrey that follow them.
Pejerrey FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Pejerrey?
Small jigs (1–3 g), micro spinners, and tiny soft plastics in silver or white imitate the zooplankton and small invertebrates pejerrey key on near the surface. Live or fresh-cut small bait fished under a float is the traditional local method in the lagoons and river backwaters of Rio Grande do Sul.
When is the best time to fish for Pejerrey?
Spring and early summer (September–December) bring the most active surface feeding as water warms and zooplankton blooms. Summer (December–February) remains productive; fish stay near the surface during cooler parts of the day.
How do you catch Pejerrey?
Local anglers in southern Brazil fish pejerrey from shore or small boats on lagoons and slow river stretches, using light spinning tackle with small jigs or live bait under a float. Drifting with the wind over open water in lagoons is a common approach when fish are schooled near the surface.
What do Pejerrey eat?
Feeds primarily on zooplankton, small aquatic invertebrates, and insect larvae near the surface, small jigs, tiny spinners, and light soft plastics in the 1–3 cm range imitate this forage well.
Where do Pejerrey live?
Native to the lower rio Paraná, lower rio Uruguay, and rio Negro basins; in Brazil this means the southern drainages of Rio Grande do Sul state. Occupies freshwater and brackish environments: coastal lagoons, slow river stretches, and estuarine margins within its range.
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