PY2ING · CC BY-SA 3.0Golden dorado
Salminus brasiliensis · piraju
The “tiger of the rivers”: a golden, hard-fighting fish and the ultimate sport-fishing trophy.
What it is
A golden-yellow characin with sharp teeth and a muscular body built for rapids, the dorado can exceed a meter in length and 30 kg, and it leaps clear of the water when hooked. Overfishing and changes caused by dams have depleted its numbers. Today fishing is controlled, with a spawning closed season and minimum sizes.
Did you know…?
Its Guaraní name, piraju, comes from pira (fish) and ju (yellow, golden).
Where
The Paraná River (Ayolas, Encarnación, the Yacyretá area) and the Paraguay River. Catch-and-release is practiced, and you must respect the closed season set by MADES, Paraguay's environment ministry.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 3 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.