Tambaqui

Quick facts

Adult size

90 cm, 5000 g typical harvest weight

Days to harvest

365 to 730 days from fingerling

Lifespan (max)

up to 30 years

Diet

omnivore

Temperature class

warm-water

Difficulty

intermediate

Water parameters

Temperature range

24–32°C (optimum 28°C)

pH

5.5 to 7.5

Hardness

2 to 20 dGH

Minimum tank

3000 L per individual at harvest size

Feed and growth

Feed protein

30% target

Daily feed (warm water)

1.20% of body weight per day

Daily feed (cool water)

0.50% of body weight per day

Max stocking density

30 g per litre of system water

A 5000g adult eats about 60.0 g of feed per day at optimum temperature. For a roster of 10 fish at adult size, that's around 600 g of feed daily.

Legality

Aquaculture and possession rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time. This table reflects regulations as of the verified date on each row. Verify with your local fisheries or wildlife authority before stocking.

Jurisdictions not listed here default to "check local regulations". A non-listing is not a green light; rules in your specific county or municipality may apply.

Habitat and origin

Native to the Amazon and Orinoco River basins in South America, found in floodplain lakes, river channels, and seasonally flooded forests. The species (Colossoma macropomum) is the largest member of the family Serrasalmidae (which includes piranhas) and the most important food fish in the Amazon basin. Adults reach 1 m and 30–40 kg in the wild, though culture harvest size is typically 1–3 kg. Tambaqui are herbivorous to omnivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds, and plant material that fall into the water from overhanging trees during flood season. The specialized molar-like teeth crush hard seeds and nuts. The flesh is firm, mild, and moderately fatty, highly valued across Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. Brazilian aquaculture production of tambaqui exceeds 300,000 tonnes annually, making it the most produced native fish species in South American aquaculture.

Climate and outdoor ponds

Climate classification

tropical (needs warm water year-round)

Outdoor pond zones (USDA)

11 to 13 (winter low around 4°C or warmer)

Heating in a temperate climate

Required for year-round operation

Cooling in a temperate climate

Not required

Zone bounds reflect year-round outdoor pond viability with no active heating. Anywhere outside the bounded zone, the species can still be kept in an indoor heated tank or a seasonally-managed system. Verify your specific microclimate, as a sheltered yard zone can run a half-zone warmer than the regional rating.

Care notes

The premier warm-water food fish for aquaponics in tropical South America and the benchmark against which other tropical species are compared. Temperature: 24–30°C optimal; growth stops below 20°C, mortality below 14°C. Growth is fast: 1–2 kg in 8-12 months on commercial pellet (28-35% protein). FCR is 1.2-1.6, among the best in freshwater aquaculture for a species that reaches such large size. The herbivorous feeding habit is a significant advantage: tambaqui readily eat fruits, seeds, duckweed, vegetable scraps, and plant waste from the aquaponics system, reducing pellet costs by 20-40% when supplemented with produce trimmings. Stocking density: 15-30 g/L. Water quality tolerance is moderate: DO above 3 mg/L, pH 6.0-8.0. Tambaqui are schooling fish that do best in groups. Cannibalism is minimal because of the herbivorous diet. Fingerlings are widely available from Brazilian, Colombian, and Peruvian hatcheries. In the US, tambaqui culture is possible in Florida, Hawaii, and other warm states, though availability of fingerlings is limited. Tambaqui x pirapitinga hybrids (tambacu) are also widely cultured and offer slightly more cold tolerance.

Further reading

• Aquaponics water chemistry: balancing pH for fish and plants
• Fish for aquaponics: tilapia vs everything else