Triportheus angulatus
The freshwater sardine of the Amazon: schools near the surface, a projecting chest and strong demand at the markets. Caught on a cane pole with fruit or insects.
Also called: sardinha, sardinha-papuda, sardinha-chata, sardinha-de-água-doce
Schooling fish living near the surface over sandy bottoms, in rivers and várzea (floodplain) lakes of the Amazon. Active by day, it eats almost anything: fruit and seeds falling from the forest, insects, plankton and small crustaceans. Its projecting chest, where the long pectoral fins attach, gives it the name papuda. It is one of the most landed species at Amazon ports and has its own closed season in several states. On a cane pole it is caught with fruit, insects or dough; it is also used as bait for peacock bass where the rules allow.
Compressed, silvery body, with the chest projecting into a keel, like a pouch. Long pectoral fins. Upturned mouth. Forked tail with dark central rays. Not related to marine sardines.
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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 and várzea lakes across the whole Amazon basin. Mato Grosso do Sul's fishing decree lists the species among the state's non-native species.
Habitat: Surface and mid-water of rivers, paranás (river channels) and várzea lakes, over sand and near flooded forest.
native to the basins
states
Amazonas, Pará, Amapá, Acre, Rondônia, Roraima
Falling water and dry season (July to November). From Nov 15 to Mar 15 there is a closed season in Amazonas, Acre and Amapá.
Daytime. Active by day, especially in the morning and late afternoon.
Cold spells send the school to the bottom.
Little known effect.
Little effect.
Heavy rain scatters the surface school.
Falling water concentrates the school.
Splashing and motor noise make the school sink.
Strong wind and chop hamper surface fishing.
Surface, up to 1 m.
lures
natural baits
accessories
Very shallow bait, almost at the surface, with a small float; floating bran chum keeps the school in place.
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).
In AM, AC and AP the sardine (Triportheus spp.) is listed in Annex II of the ordinance, with fishing banned from November 15 to March 15. Under art. 2 of the ordinance, recreational anglers fishing with a hand line or rod, line and hook are exempt from this ban, unless a stricter state rule applies; during the period the recreational bag limit is 5 kg + 1 fish.
In MS the freshwater sardine (Triportheus angulatus) is on the list of exotic and allochthonous species that may be added to the angler's bag limit, subject to the closed season.
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: 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
Fragile: loses scales easily. Release it without gripping it hard, with a dry hand.
Fried whole and crispy; also in caldeirada.
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01413, b = 2.91; 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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