Pira Pyta is endemic to the Rio de la Plata basin (areas of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay). Known as piracanjuba in Brazil, which is derived from the Tupí-Guarani, in reference to the distinctive yellow head of the fish ( pira = fish; acanga = head; yuba = yellow). In Paraguay and in the Guarani-speaking areas of northeastern Argentina it is known as pira pytá (from Guarani pira pytã, meaning red fish). In other Spanish-speaking countries and regions it is commonly referred to as Creole salmon or river salmon. Migratory species; the female is larger: reaches up to 80 cm (SL, and around 8-10 kg maximum weight, while the male is of smaller size: 6 cm long and 3.5 kg weight. Beautiful silhouette, reminiscent of a large mojarra by its intense orange (almost red) fins. The body, scaly, oblong, is silvery and the back dark; it presents a spot at the base of the caudal peduncle. Its gill aperture is disproportionate for the size of its small head. Spawns between December and January. Feeds on fruits, organic residues, seeds, and other plants.
