Sorubimichthys planiceps
A catfish as long as a log, with a flat, paddle-shaped head. A nocturnal fish hunter in the large rivers of the Amazon and the Araguaia.
Also called: peixe-lenha, surubim-lenha, bargada, pirauaca, surubim-chicote
Large leather catfish, with a very elongated, rounded body, a long flattened head, and an upper jaw longer than the lower. Hunts mostly at night, eating fish and other animals of the water column. Lives in the channels of big rivers, on beaches and at lake mouths, and exceeds 1 meter. Its commercial value is lower than that of the pintado and pirarara, but it is a respected catch for anglers bottom fishing with live bait in the Araguaia, Tocantins and Amazon. The name surubim-chicote is also used for the coroatá, another species, which is subject to a fishing ban in Tocantins.
Very long, rounded body, long head flattened like a paddle, protruding upper jaw. Dark back with small black spots, pale stripe along the flank and white belly. Long barbels. If in doubt about the coroatá (Platynematichthys notatus), whose fishing is prohibited in TO, release the fish.
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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.
Channel of large rivers in the Amazon and Tocantins-Araguaia basins; the MT and TO rules cover the species in the Araguaia and the Tocantins.
Habitat: Channel of large rivers, sandy beaches, holes and lake mouths.
native to the basins
states
Amazonas, Pará, Acre, Rondônia, Mato Grosso, Tocantins, Goiás
Dry season (July to October), with low rivers and the fish concentrated in holes and on beaches.
Nighttime. Hunts at night; during the day it stays on the bottom of holes and channels.
Cold snaps shut down activity.
Stable pressure helps.
Dark nights tend to produce more.
Little effect.
A low river concentrates the fish in holes.
Avoid motors and lights near the spot.
Little effect.
Bottom, 3 to 12 m.
natural baits
accessories
Live bait on the bottom of the hole, at night, on a circle hook. Let it run before setting the hook.
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).
The MT law sets 80 cm for the bargada (Sorubimichthys planiceps) in the Araguaia stretch between the headwaters and Antônio Rosa and in the Araguaia National Park. In MT, anglers may only kill for consumption on site (up to 2 kg or 1 fish, art. 19-C); the rule applies to that kill.
In Tocantins the peixe-lenha (bargada) may only be kept between 70 and 130 cm. In TO anglers may not transport fish until Feb 28, 2029, except 1 native fish; they may consume up to 3 kg on site (Naturatins Ordinance 44/2026).
Source: Portaria Naturatins nº 47/2026, Annex I, as amended by Portaria nº 105/2026
Above 130 cm the peixe-lenha must be returned to the water in Tocantins.
Source: Portaria Naturatins nº 47/2026, Annex I, 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
Long fish: support the whole body horizontally, remove the hook with pliers and release it while holding it until it swims off.
White, firm, boneless meat; good in fried steaks, baked or in caldeirada.
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00589, b = 3.06; FishBase). 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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