Acarás

Length Category:  Small (<40 cm)

Trophic Level:  Omnivores

Migratory Pattern:  Local (<100 km)

Spawning Period:  All periods

Export Market:  Regional (in Amazon)

Market Status:  Second class

Catch Distribution:

Acará potential yield was estimated to be 1,500 tons. Five fishery regions account for 99% of the potential catch: Central Amazon (35%), Peruvian Amazon (27%), Tocantins (15%), Lower Amazon (11%), and Estuary (10%).

Natural History Notes:

Acará are not generally separated to species in fisheries statistics because they are second-class species. The most valuable are Astronotus ocellatus and A. crassipinnus, species which can command first-class prices in some markets. Various species of the genera Chaetobranchus, Chaetobranchopsis, Satanoperca, Uaru, Acarichthys, Heros, Aequidens, Acaronia, Cichlasoma, and Symphysodon regularly appear in markets. Acará live mostly in quiet waters and the largest captures are made in floodplain lakes of the whitewater rivers, especially those of the Amazon River. Relatively large catches of zooplankton-feeding species, such of the genera Chaetobranchus and Chaetobranchopsis, are also occasionally made in the large mouth-bay of the Tapajós River. None of the acará species are migratory and most are omnivores and feed on insects, crustaceans, small fish and algae. Some of the species spawn more than once annually and nest-building and parental care of young are common.