Platynematichthys notatus
A large spotted catfish with flattened barbels, from the rivers of the Amazon and Orinoco. Rarely caught on hook; in Tocantins fishing is prohibited at any size.
Also called: coroatá, pirá-tucandira, surubim-chicote (nome da norma do Tocantins), mestiço
The coroatá is the only member of the genus Platynematichthys, a relative of Brachyplatystoma (dourada, piraíba). It lives in the Amazon and Orinoco basins and FishBase classifies it as a bottom-dwelling fish. Aquarium-hobby sources describe it as a fish-eating predator. Size varies by river: FishBase gives up to 80 cm standard length, and general literature mentions about 1 m in the Orinoco and about half that in the Amazon. It has commercial use. Tocantins' fishing rule prohibits catching it at any size, and the species is listed there as occurring in the Araguaia and Tocantins. We found no reports of targeted sport fishing: bait and technique data are scarce.
A large catfish with smooth skin, fusiform body, brown back and whitish belly, with scattered dark blotches and spots but no stripes. The barbels are flattened and broad (the genus name means 'broad-thread fish'). Aquarists say the fins turn yellowish in adults and that the color varies a lot between specimens. It can be confused with the caparari and with young individuals of other spotted catfish, which have stripes or spots in rows and a much flatter head.
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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.
Rivers of the Amazon and Orinoco basins; there are records in the Negro and Branco rivers. Tocantins' fishing rule lists it among the species of the Araguaia and Tocantins. Outside Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela.
Habitat: Channels of large rivers, near the bottom; pools and deep stretches with current (estimate based on its bottom-dwelling habit).
native to the basins
states
Amazonas, Roraima, Tocantins
No specific seasonal data. Like other channel catfish, it should be easier during falling water and the dry season, with low river levels (estimate). In Tocantins fishing is prohibited year-round.
Night and twilight. No time-of-day studies. As a large bottom-dwelling predatory catfish, it should produce better at night (estimate).
Little effect in a tropical river; cold snaps (friagem) can reduce activity.
Little known effect.
No data.
Little known effect.
A falling river concentrates fish in the channels (estimate).
No data.
Little effect.
Bottom, 2 to 20 m (estimate).
natural baits
accessories
There are no reports of sport fishing for coroatá; use large bottom-catfish tackle. In Tocantins, if one comes up, release it right away.
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 Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).
In Tocantins the coroatá (Platynematichthys notatus), also called surubim-chicote in the rule, appears in Annex III, species with fishing prohibited at any size. If you hook one, release it alive right away.
Source: Portaria Naturatins nº 47/2026, as amended by Portaria nº 105/2026, Annex III
Annex III of Portaria Naturatins 47/2026 (wording from Portaria 105/2026) prohibits, at any size, dourada (Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii), coroatá/surubim-chicote (Platynematichthys notatus), apple stingray (arraia-maçã, Paratrygon aiereba), rubinho (Aguarunichthys tocantinsensis), aracu-boca-pra-cima (Sartor tucuruiense), pacu-dente-seco (Mylesinus paucisquamatus) and piabanha (Brycon gouldingi).
Source: Portaria Naturatins nº 47/2026, Annex III, as amended by Portaria nº 105/2026
Allowed: Sport and guided fishing only in reservoirs, catch and release with barbless hooks (no keeping, transporting or eating). Subsistence: up to 5 kg per day, for household consumption only.
Allowed: All fishing modalities are prohibited in rivers, including catch and release (Law 9.096/2009, art. 19-A). Exceptions: subsistence fishing from shore (3 kg or 1 fish, no transport or sale) and scientific fishing. Law 13.159/2025 now allows licensed sport fishing in UHE/PCH hydropower reservoirs, natural lakes and border rivers, subject to a scientific study and a license from the environmental agency. We have not confirmed whether these licenses are already being issued.
Allowed: Recreational fishing only in reservoirs, with handline, rod, or spinning or baitcasting reel. Fish may only be eaten on site, not transported. Competitions prohibited. Subsistence: 3 kg + 1 fish. State rules (GO and TO) may be stricter.
Allowed: Recreational fishing only in reservoirs, with on-site consumption. Subsistence: 5 kg + 1 fish. State rules may be stricter.
Allowed: In 2025/26: catch and release with barbless hooks and recreational fishing card; subsistence fishing on foot or from a rowboat, with simple pole or handline.
Source: Portaria Naturatins nº 244/2025 (2025/26 season); INIs MPA/MMA nº 12 and 13/2011
Allowed: The same recreational-angler exceptions as in Portaria 48/2007 apply (handline or rod, 5 kg + 1 fish), unless a stricter state rule applies.
Source: Portaria IBAMA nº 48/2007
Allowed: Recreational anglers with handline or rod, line and hook are outside the Annex II prohibitions, with a bag limit of 5 kg + 1 fish, unless a stricter state rule applies.
Source: Portaria IBAMA nº 48/2007
Allowed: Subsistence fishing only.
Source: Portaria IBAMA nº 48/2007
Allowed: See the exceptions in Portaria 48/2007 and the state rules for each bank.
Source: Portaria IBAMA nº 48/2007
In Tocantins, release it without delay. Anywhere: hold the fish from below, with its body horizontal, without lifting it by the head; remove the hook with long-nose pliers and release it into the current.
According to FishBase it is a commercial fishing species. In Tocantins catch is prohibited, and we found no notes on preparation or market specific to the species.
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00933, b = 3.08; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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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.
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