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Golden dorado (Salminus brasiliensis) — Bryconidae

Golden dorado

Salminus brasiliensis
Family: Bryconidae

The Golden dorado (Salminus brasiliensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Bryconidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The golden dorado is a large predatory characiform (Bryconidae) from fresh water of the Parana, Paraguay and Uruguay basins in South America. The species grows to about 1 metre and has a powerful, golden-yellow body with a red tail and a large mouth full of sharp teeth. As a fast top predator it hunts smaller fish in flowing rivers, especially migrating prey, often leaping clear of the water. It is a famed sport fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Golden dorado?

The Golden dorado has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Golden dorado live?

The Golden dorado lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay

How big does the Golden dorado get?

The Golden dorado grows to a maximum of about 100 cm.

Is the Golden dorado dangerous to humans?

No, the Golden dorado is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Golden dorado edible?

Yes, the Golden dorado is commonly eaten.

More photos

Golden dorado (Salminus brasiliensis) — Bryconidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Ezequiel Racker, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Golden dorado (Salminus brasiliensis) — Bryconidae — 3
Tomás Molina Ehrman (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Golden dorado (Salminus brasiliensis) — Bryconidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — BRASIL AQUA (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Golden dorado (Salminus brasiliensis) — Bryconidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) vickygn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Golden dorado sourced
Scientific name
Salminus brasiliensis
Family
Bryconidae
Other names
Dorado; Jaw characin verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
9.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Salminus

More from the family Bryconidae

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