
Also known as:
Sabalo
Matrixa
Common Group Name:
Characins Piranhas Tetras
Family Name:
Characiformes
Genus Name:
Brycon
Species Name:
Brycon falcatus
Dispatch Method:
The eating qualities of these fish are greatly improved if they are killed humanely by iki jime or a firm knock to the head before placing them in an ice slurry after bleeding.
Fish Description:
- A deep bodied species with silver scales and a black chevron shaped pattern on the tail.
- Matrinxa are an omnivorous fish with sturdy molar-like teeth they use to feed on fruit, invertebrates or smaller fishes.
Fish Distribution:
- The matrinxa is endemic to the Amazon and Orinoco River Basins as well as rivers in Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana in South America.
- Juvenile matrinxa occur in backwaters and side streams, while the largest adult fish often frequent mid river structures adjacent to areas of high water flow.
Fish Size Common Length:
Common between 20-30 cm, maximum size around 50 cm and 2-3 kg.