Home · Bryconidae · Golden dorado
Golden dorado (Salminus brasiliensis) — Bryconidae

Golden dorado

Salminus brasiliensis
Family: Bryconidae

The Golden dorado (Salminus brasiliensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Bryconidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The golden dorado is a large predatory characiform (Bryconidae) from fresh water of the Parana, Paraguay and Uruguay basins in South America. The species grows to about 1 metre and has a powerful, golden-yellow body with a red tail and a large mouth full of sharp teeth. As a fast top predator it hunts smaller fish in flowing rivers, especially migrating prey, often leaping clear of the water. It is a famed sport fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Golden dorado?

The Golden dorado has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Golden dorado live?

The Golden dorado lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Golden dorado get?

The Golden dorado grows to a maximum of about 100 cm.

Is the Golden dorado dangerous to humans?

No, the Golden dorado is harmless to humans.

Is the Golden dorado edible?

Yes, the Golden dorado is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gouden dorado sourced
English name
Golden dorado sourced
Scientific name
Salminus brasiliensis
Family
Bryconidae
Other names
Dorado; Jaw characin verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
9.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Salminus

More from the family Bryconidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →