Perna-de-moça
Perna-de-moça (Leporinus amae) is a compact freshwater fish from the headstander family (Anostomidae), restricted to the Uruguay River basin in South America.
Topping out around 19 cm and 77 grams, it's a biologically documented species that rarely crosses paths with anglers — and the name itself causes confusion, since 'Perna-de-moça' is also applied to unrelated marine species along the Brazilian coast.
Scientific Name: Leporinus amae
Also known as boca-de-moça, leporinus brazilský
- Belongs to the Anostomidae (headstander) family — a group of South American freshwater fish characterized by compact, often laterally compressed bodies and a tendency to angle head-down while feeding.
- Small at maximum recorded size: 19.4 cm (about 7.5 inches) total length and roughly 77 grams — comparable in scale to a large minnow rather than a sport fish.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Range is confined to the Uruguay River basin in South America; no established populations exist outside this watershed.
- A pelagic freshwater species — meaning it occupies open water columns within its river system rather than hugging the bottom or shoreline structure.
Specific Spots
- Breeding activity pulls this species into thick aquatic vegetation; dense weed growth provides both cover and spawning substrate, making vegetated backwaters and slow margins the most likely places to encounter it.
See it in the app
Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Perna-de-moça.
- 01 · Species map filter
Map every Perna-de-moça water
Pick Perna-de-moça 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 Perna-de-moça
Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.
Stop guessing where Perna-de-moça are.
Open the map, filter by Perna-de-moça, 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.