Plagioscion auratus
Pescada-preta is the darker, less common cousin of the silver croaker that dominates Amazon commercial catches.
Found in the Amazon and estuary systems of Brazil, it shares the same bottom-oriented, fish-eating habits as its relatives but turns up far less frequently in nets and on lines.
An important food fish in the estuary zone, it contributes to the mixed 'pescada' catch alongside P. squamosissimus and P. surinamensis.
Scientific Name: Plagioscion auratus
Also known as Pescada-preta, pescada preta
- Darker overall coloration than the silver croaker (P. squamosissimus), which is the key visual distinction between the two species in hand.
- Typical sciaenid body plan: moderately compressed, large mouth, prominent lateral line, and rough-edged scales typical of the drum family.
- Reaches around 40–80 cm in length within the genus; the specimen photographed for museum records measured 221 mm standard length, suggesting modest typical size.
- Adults and juveniles can look similar in shape; coloration and scale texture help separate pescada-preta from the more common silver-sided pescada branca.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to Brazil; its core range covers the Amazon Basin and the estuary zone where the Amazon meets the Atlantic, as well as rivers of the Guianas drainage.
- Occurs mainly in estuaries, though it is notably less common there than P. squamosissimus — the two species occupy the same general habitat but pescada-preta is caught far less often.
- A bottom-to-midwater fish of tropical freshwater and brackish systems; found in whitewater river floodplains and the transitional zones between river and estuary.
- The estuary region, the Tocantins drainage, and the Brazilian-Colombian-Peruvian border area account for the bulk of commercial pescada catches in which this species appears.
Key Locations
- Amazon estuary zone — the most important single region for pescada-preta, accounting for the largest share of the mixed pescada commercial catch.
- Tocantins River drainage — one of the three major regions contributing to pescada yield in Brazil.
- Brazilian-Colombian-Peruvian border area along the upper Amazon system — a significant secondary zone for this species.
- Lower Amazon and Central Amazon river channels, where the species appears in smaller but consistent numbers alongside P. squamosissimus.
Specific Spots
- Near the bottom in estuarine channels and floodplain waters — pescada species as a group live close to the substrate where prey concentrates.
- Whitewater river floodplains, particularly in the Amazon estuary zone, where shrimp and small fish gather in the shallows and along channel edges.
- Current breaks and channel margins in the lower Amazon and Tocantins, where bottom-oriented predators hold to intercept drifting prey.
Plagioscion auratus FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Plagioscion auratus?
Live or cut small fish are the most direct match for adult pescada-preta's diet; local baitfish or shrimp rigged on a bottom or slow-drift presentation cover both age classes.
When is the best time to fish for Plagioscion auratus?
Spawning occurs across multiple periods through the year rather than a single defined season, so fish can be encountered year-round.
How do you catch Plagioscion auratus?
Most pescada-preta are taken by artisanal fishers working the Amazon estuary and floodplain channels with nets or bottom-fished bait.
What do Plagioscion auratus eat?
Juveniles eat insect larvae and small crustaceans, copepods and decapod shrimp. Small jigs, soft-plastic shrimp imitations, or live shrimp work well for younger fish. Adults shift almost entirely to fish.
Where do Plagioscion auratus live?
Native to Brazil; its core range covers the Amazon Basin and the estuary zone where the Amazon meets the Atlantic, as well as rivers of the Guianas drainage. Occurs mainly in estuaries, though it is notably less common there than P.
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