Cachama (Colossoma macropomum)

Scientific name: Colossoma macropomum Cuvier, 1816

Cachama (Colossoma macropomum)

The Cachama (Colossoma macropomum) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows to about 100 cm (39 in). It is easy to keep and peaceful, is best kept in a species tank and needs a tank of at least 285 L (75 US gal), water at 22–28°C (72–82°F) and a pH of 5.0–7.8. Native range: South America, Amazon and Orinoco basins.

Cachama care at a glance

Care level
Easy
Temperament
Peaceful
Community tank
Not suitable
Adult size
100 cm (39 in)
Minimum tank
285 L (75 US gal)
Temperature
22–28°C (72–82°F)
pH
5.0–7.8
Hardness
4–20 dGH (71–357 ppm)
Diet
Herbivore. Accepts flakes, frozen foods and live foods.

Biology

This species is usually solitary. Adults stay in flooded forests during first 5 months of flooding and consume but fruits and grains. Young and juveniles live in black waters of flood plains until their sexual maturity. Feeds on zooplankton, insects, snails and decaying plants. Used in aquaculture because it can live in mineral poor waters and is very resistant to diseases. Marketed fresh and frozen.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Colossoma macropomum
Family
Characidae (Characins)
Order
Characiformes (Characins)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
108
Common length
70.0
Depth range
5 m (16 ft)
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 5.0 - 7.8; dH range: ? - 20 benthopelagic; potamodromous; depth range 5 - ? m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
South America: Amazon and Orinoco basins as wild form; pisciculture form largely distributed in South America.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Traumatogenic
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.23; Fec=7,000-300,000)

More tetras & characins

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Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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