Pescada
Plagioscion squamosissimus is one of the most commercially important freshwater fish in Brazil, a staple of small-scale fisheries across the Amazon basin, the São Francisco River, and the Tocantins.
Anglers target it as a reliable food fish and a willing striker on artificial lures — a practical alternative target when peacock bass aren't cooperating in the same lagoons and river systems.
Scientific Name: Plagioscion squamosissimus
Also known as Pescada-branca, pescada branca, silver croaker, corvina
- Uniformly silver body with a slightly darker back and lighter belly; fins often carry a faint reddish tint that stands out in hand.
- A prominent, clearly visible lateral line runs the full length of the body — one of the easiest field marks for quick ID.
- A distinct black blotch sits at the base of the pectoral fin; combined with the lateral line, this separates it from similar-looking species in the same water.
- Long second dorsal fin and a large, oblique mouth angled upward; most fish run under 5 lb, but specimens up to roughly 15 lb are on record.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to Brazil; found across the Amazon basin, the Tocantins, the São Francisco River, and the estuary zone — the Estuary, Tocantins, and the Brazilian-Colombian-Peruvian border region together account for the bulk of commercial catches.
- Primarily a whitewater river and floodplain fish; most abundant in the lowland river systems of the Amazon, with significant populations in the Tapajós and Tocantins rivers.
- Occupies deeper, well-oxygenated water in both slow lowland rivers and the deeper pools of higher-gradient rivers — rarely found in the shallow shoreline zones where peacock bass hunt.
- A bottom-oriented species; stays close to the riverbed or lake floor rather than working the surface or mid-column.
Key Locations
- Tapajós River — one of the most productive rivers for pescada in the Brazilian Amazon, with larger average fish than more altered systems.
- Tocantins River — a major commercial fishery for the species, though populations have been affected by dam construction including the Usina Hidrelétrica de Tucuruí.
- Amazon estuary zone — the estuary region accounts for roughly a third of estimated pescada yield in Brazil, making it the single most productive area commercially.
- São Francisco River — significant populations in the sub-middle and lower courses; an important fishery for artisanal fishers in that basin.
Specific Spots
- Lagoon mouths and channel edges — pescada stack where deeper water meets the floodplain, using the depth change as a feeding lane.
- Deep pools in river bends and below structure; they hold near the bottom where current slows and shrimp and small fish concentrate.
- Away from the bank — unlike peacock bass, pescada tend to sit in open, deeper water rather than tight to shoreline cover, so working mid-channel or the deeper side of a drop-off pays off.
Pescada FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Pescada?
Jigs and weighted soft-plastic swimbaits worked slowly along the bottom imitate the small fish and shrimp that make up the bulk of the diet, keep contact with the riverbed and use a slow, twitching retrieve.
When is the best time to fish for Pescada?
Available year-round given the species' extended, multi-period spawning pattern, there is no single closed window for anglers. Fishing tends to concentrate during the dry season (roughly May–October in much of the Amazon basin) when falling water levels push fish into deeper channels and lagoon mouths, making them...
How do you catch Pescada?
Most anglers in Brazil target pescada from small boats, working deeper channel edges, lagoon mouths, and river pools with bottom-fished bait or jigs.
What do Pescada eat?
Feeds primarily on small fish and shrimp near the bottom; matching this with a jig, soft-plastic swimbait, or a weighted streamer worked slowly along the riverbed covers the main forage categories.
Where do Pescada live?
Native to Brazil; found across the Amazon basin, the Tocantins, the São Francisco River, and the estuary zone, the Estuary, Tocantins, and the Brazilian-Colombian-Peruvian border region together account for the bulk of commercial catches.
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