congro-rosa
Genypterus brasiliensis
Elongated pink bottom fish of the Southeast and South shelf, with pelvic fins shaped like barbels under the throat. Noble flesh.
Also called: congro-rosa, congrio-rosa, jurupari, parupé
- common size
- 40–60 cm
- maximum
- 69 cm
- common weight
- 0.4–1.2 kg
- record/max.
- 1.5 kg
- depth
- 60–200 m
- ideal water
- 12–18 °C
who is the congro-rosa
The pink cusk-eel is an ophidiid with an elongated body, lacking a clear division between the dorsal fin, tail, and anal fin, that lives on mud bottoms of the outer shelf, from Rio de Janeiro to northern Patagonia in Argentina, usually from 60 to 200 m. It lays eggs that float wrapped in a gelatinous mass. It is caught by trawl and bottom line fishing and appears in recreational fishing on deep trips over soft bottoms. It has white, firm flesh, prized in caldeirada and stews. Its taxonomic status is debated: some authors consider it an unspotted form of the southern cusk-eel (Genypterus blacodes).
fun facts
- The pelvic fins have become two filaments under the throat that look like barbels.
- The eggs float in a gelatinous mass.
identification
Elongated body tapering toward the tail, pink to orange, without marked spots. Long dorsal and anal fins, joined to the caudal fin. Pelvic fins reduced to two filaments under the throat, which look like barbels. Very small scales. Despite the name, it is not related to the true congers, which are eels.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
where found
From Rio de Janeiro to Rio Grande do Sul, continuing to Uruguay and Argentina.
Habitat: Mud bottoms of the outer shelf and slope edge, usually 60 to 200 m.
coast
states
Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul
when to fish
best season
Fished all year; the sea defines the fishing windows.
best time of day
Any time. At depth light matters little; it bites throughout the day.
what affects the congro-rosa
sensitivity The little bars show how much each factor affects this species. Five full: it feels it a lot.
cold and cold fronts
Lives in cold bottom water.
atmospheric pressure
A cold front brings rough seas.
moon
Small effect.
rain
No effect at depth.
water level
Does not depend on water level.
noise
Not very sensitive.
wind
Strong wind prevents keeping the line vertical.
tide
Prefer weak current.
depth
60 to 200 m.
how to fish
- rod
- 5'6" to 6'6", 30 to 50 lb
- spinning / baitcasting reel
- high-profile baitcaster or electric reel
- line
- braided line 40 to 50 lb
- leader
- monofilament 60 to 80 lb
- hook
- circle 4/0 to 6/0
natural baits
- lula
- fish fillet
- sardinha
accessories
- 300 to 600 g sinker
tip from an angler
Leave the bait still on the bottom; the cusk-eel bites slowly.
rules for the congro-rosa
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Not on the national list (Portaria GM/MMA 1.667/2026). We found no specific federal rule for this species.
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
Comes from great depth and rarely survives release; keep only what you will eat.
in the kitchen
White, firm, tasty flesh; classic in caldeirada, stew, and grilled steaks.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00209, b = 3.18; FishBase (estimativa bayesiana, comprimento total)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
The season weights (months), the time of day and the sensitivities (cold, pressure, moon, wind, rain, tide, strong light, murky water and noise) are the app's editorial estimates, based on the literature below and on the field experience of anglers and guides. They are not official data nor a measurement made for this species, and they may vary by region and year. Closed seasons and legal rules appear in the rules section, with the norm and a link.
- scientific FishBase — Genypterus brasiliensis (ficha da espécie)Names, distribution, biology, length-weight relationship, and references. Page checked October 13, 2026. FishBase's maximum length (68.8 cm) is standard length, without the tail.
- official Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026 — Lista Nacional Oficial de Espécies da Fauna Ameaçadas de Extinção (peixes e invertebrados aquáticos)Most recent national list. The species is not on it (search by scientific name in the text published in the DOU, checked on October 13, 2026).
- official ICMBio/SALVE — Ficha de Genypterus brasiliensis (avaliação nacional do risco de extinção)ICMBio national assessment, published in 2025. DOI checked on Crossref.
- scientific IUCN Red List — busca por Genypterus brasiliensisAccording to FishBase (version 2025-2 of the Red List), the species has not been assessed by the IUCN. Search for "Genypterus brasiliensis" on the site.
- scientific Figueiredo, J. L.; Menezes, N. A. (1978). Manual de peixes marinhos do sudeste do Brasil. II. Teleostei (1). São Paulo: Museu de Zoologia da USP. 110 p.Printed work; the URL is the bibliographic record on FishBase, which cites this work for the species.
- scientific Haimovici, M.; Martins, A. S.; Figueiredo, J. L.; Vieira, P. C. (1994). Demersal bony fish of the outer shelf and upper slope of the southern Brazil Subtropical Convergence Ecosystem. Marine Ecology Progress Series 108: 59–77.Demersal fishes of the outer shelf and slope of southern Brazil. Printed work; the URL is the bibliographic record in FishBase, which cites this work for the species.
- scientific Menezes, N. A.; Buckup, P. A.; Figueiredo, J. L.; Moura, R. L. (orgs.) (2003). Catálogo das espécies de peixes marinhos do Brasil. São Paulo: Museu de Zoologia da USP. 160 p.List of marine species recorded in Brazil. Printed work; the URL is the bibliographic record in FishBase, which cites this work for the species.
