Tambaqui / Cachama
ExploreFish
Tambaqui / Cachama
Colossoma macropomum
The Tambaqui, also known as Cachama, is a big, friendly fish that lives in rivers and lakes. It has a round body and loves to eat fruits and seeds that fall into the water.
Habitat: Freshwater rivers and lakes
Appearance
The Tambaqui / Cachama is a large, deep-bodied fish with a disc-like shape, sporting dark grey to black coloration dorsally that fades to a lighter yellowish belly. It has strong, piranha-like teeth and prominent scales, making it distinct among large Amazonian fish.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassActinopterygiiOrderCharaciformesFamilySerrasalmidaeGenusColossoma
Category
FishRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Locals often call them 'fruit eaters' because of their love for fallen forest fruits.
Tambaqui are cousins to piranhas but prefer fruits and seeds over meat!
They are one of the largest scaled freshwater fish in South America, weighing up to 44 kg!
Young Tambaqui sometimes hide among piranha schools for protection!
Special abilities
Ability
Nutcracker Jaws
Tambaqui can crush tough seeds and nuts with their powerful, molar-like teeth, helping them exploit a unique food source.
Ability
Low-Oxygen Warrior
Tambaqui can survive in low-oxygen waters by gulping air and using specialized blood oxygen absorption, enabling survival during dry seasons.
Ability
Amazonian Gardener
Tambaqui helps spread seeds of fruit-bearing trees throughout the Amazon, acting as an important aquatic seed disperser.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 50-110 cm
- Weight
- 10-44 kg
- Lifespan
- 10-18 years
- Swim Speed
- 20 km/h
- Maximum Depth
- 20 m
- Water Type
- Freshwater
Diet & Feeding
These large omnivorous fish eat a huge variety of foods, mainly fruits, seeds, and zooplankton.
Age differences: Young Tambaqui primarily eat zooplankton, gradually shifting to fruits, seeds, and larger plant matter as they grow.
Primary Foods
- fruits
- seeds
- zooplankton
- insects
- algae
- small fish
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
Tucum Palm
Astrocaryum vulgare
disperses seeds of its fallen fruits
eaten by
Spectacled Caiman
Caiman crocodilus
young Tambaqui are prey for caimans
eaten by
Human
Homo sapiens
a significant food source for Amazonian people
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Freshwater
Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Giant
Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type.
Also known as
Cachama
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always be careful around water and ask an adult before swimming.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Tambaqui / Cachama?
50-110 cm
How much does Tambaqui / Cachama weigh?
10-44 kg
How long does Tambaqui / Cachama live?
10-18 years
What does Tambaqui / Cachama eat?
These large omnivorous fish eat a huge variety of foods, mainly fruits, seeds, and zooplankton.
How fast can Tambaqui / Cachama swim?
20 km/h
Where is Tambaqui / Cachama usually found?
Freshwater rivers and lakes
How does Tambaqui / Cachama hunt?
Foraging
How deep can Tambaqui / Cachama go?
20 m
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