Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Siluriformes
- Family
- Serrasalmidae
- Genus
- Myloplus
- Species
- planquettei
Habitat
This fish inhabits freshwater rivers and streams in the Guiana Shield, including the Rewa, Mana, Maroni, and Essequibo River basins in South America. It prefers clear, flowing waters with sandy or rocky bottoms and abundant vegetation for cover. These areas are typically in tropical rainforest regions with seasonal flooding.
Diet
Myloplus planquettei primarily feeds on fruits, seeds, and nuts that fall into the water, as well as aquatic plants and occasionally insects. It exhibits a herbivorous feeding behavior, often foraging near the surface or along riverbanks during the day. Feeding activity peaks in the wet season when food sources are more abundant.
Behavior
This species is generally schooling, forming groups in river channels for protection and feeding. It is diurnal, active during the day, and tends to be territorial around feeding areas. Myloplus planquettei may migrate upstream during the rainy season to spawn.
Fishing
Anglers targeting the Planquettei pacu, a herbivorous fish in the Serrasalmidae family, can enjoy rewarding sport fishing in South America's Guiana Shield rivers like the Rewa, Mana, Maroni, and Essequibo, where these fish thrive in clear, flowing waters with sandy or rocky bottoms and abundant vegetation; focus on areas with seasonal flooding for the best results. Use bottom fishing or float techniques with light to medium tackle, such as a 6-8 foot rod with 10-20 lb test line and a size 2-4 hook, to handle their strong, initial runs when hooked. Effective baits include fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, or vegetable-based lures that mimic their natural diet, as they forage near the surface or along riverbanks; try chumming with crushed fruits to attract schools. The best season is during the wet season from May to August, when feeding and spawning activity peaks, with prime times being early morning or late afternoon for active daytime bites. Typical sizes reach up to 50 cm and 5 lbs 6 oz, supporting sustainable angling practices that contribute to conservation through license fees and habitat programs in these remote waterways, helping maintain healthy populations via angler-funded initiatives, even though this species is not currently evaluated by the IUCN.
Conservation Status
Listed as Not Evaluated by IUCN.