Overview
They belong to the same family as sardines and the American shad. It closely resembles a giant American Shad.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Gadiformes
- Family
- Clupeidae
- Genus
- Pellona
- Species
- castelnaeana
Habitat
It occurs in rivers, apparently not entering the sea, although presumably tolerating at least some salinity at the Amazon mouth. They are schooling fish that feed on the surface near the river banks and deep channels, often herding baitfish upon which it feeds.
Diet
The Amazon pellona primarily feeds on small fish, shrimp, and plankton, often herding schools of baitfish for easier capture. They are surface feeders active during the day, targeting prey near river banks and in deep channels. This feeding strategy helps them exploit abundant food sources in their riverine habitats.
Behavior
Amazon pellona are highly social fish that form large schools for protection against predators and to coordinate feeding. They are diurnal, actively swimming near the surface or in deep river channels, and exhibit herding behavior to corral smaller fish. These fish are not particularly territorial but rely on group dynamics for survival in fast-flowing waters.
Fishing
They are vigorous fighters capable of powerful sustained runs and frequent jumps. Once hooked, the fish frequently leaps four or five feet up into the air, putting on amazing aerial displays. When tired, they turn their sides to the current, which adds to their ability to resist being landed. They take a variety of baits and lures, especially on top, and present a unique challenge for the baitcasting, spinning and fly fishing enthusiasts. Targeting this species will add greatly to the experience of anglers in South American.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.