Rocío Esmeralda Pose · CC BY 4.0Surubí catfish (spotted and tiger)
Pseudoplatystoma corruscans y Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum · suruvi
The great catfish of the Paraguay and Paraná rivers, prized by anglers and cooks alike.
What it is
These are large catfish with flattened heads, long whiskers and skin that is either spotted (the pintado) or dark-banded (the atigrado, or tiger surubí). They hunt at night in deep channels and can exceed a meter in length. The IUCN lists the spotted surubí as Near Threatened and the tiger surubí as Least Concern. Overfishing and dams have greatly reduced their numbers, so catches are regulated and banned during the annual spawning closed season.
Did you know…?
It's the star of Paraguay's riverside cooking: surubí broth, chupín (a hearty fish stew) and breaded fillets in towns like Ayolas, Pilar and Villa Oliva.
Where
The Paraguay and Paraná rivers and their major tributaries. Sport fishing is popular in Ayolas, Pilar, Villa Oliva, Concepción and on the upper Paraguay, always outside the closed season and with a license.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 5 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.