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fishing forecast

black acara

Cichlasoma bimaculatum · Cichlidae · omnivore

Freshwateressential profile

Acará from canals and swamps of the Guianas, the Orinoco and the upper Branco River. Of interest to the aquarium trade, and it turns up on the line now and then.

Also called: acará, acará-cascudo, vieja, black acara, common patwa

Scientific illustration of Black acara
maximum
12 cm
location

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period

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the species

everything about the black acara

overview

who is the black acara

Acará is a small cichlid of the family Cichlidae, reaching 12.3 cm standard length. It lives in canals and swamps, where it tolerates water low in oxygen. It eats crustaceans and insects. Males are larger than females, and females mature at about 7 to 9 cm, at 20 to 25 g. Spawning happens at the start of the rains: about 700 eggs, laid on an open surface and guarded by the parents. It occurs in the upper Branco River in Brazil, in the Guianas and in the Orinoco basin in Venezuela. In fishing, it turns up on the line now and then and is sold for the aquarium trade.

Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the black acara; in the meantime, see the similar species.

how to recognize it

identification

Two dark spots on the flank, which give the scientific name, bimaculatum (two spots). Body compressed sideways, with a spiny dorsal fin, like other cichlids. Males are larger than females. To tell it apart from the big-eyed cichlid (Acaronia nassa), which occurs in the same Amazonian rivers, look at the eye: the big-eyed cichlid has a very large eye, while acará is recognized by its two spots.

distribution

where found

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Occurs in northern South America: in the upper Branco River in Brazil, in the Guianas and in the Orinoco basin in Venezuela, in canals and swamps.

Habitat: Freshwater canals and swamps, in areas with low oxygen.

native to the basins

Amazon
what the law says

rules for the black acara

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).

We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.

piracema closures in the basins where the species lives

Spawning closure (piracema) in Mato Grosso (all basins)

01/10 to 31/01MT

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.

Source: IN Interministerial MAPA/MMA nº 10/2017; Resolução Cepesca-MT nº 1/2026; Lei estadual MT nº 9.096/2009, arts. 19-A and 27 (Leis 12.434/2024 and 13.159/2025)

Closed season in the rivers of Marajó Island (PA)

01/01 to 30/04PA

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

Closed season in the Amazon basin in Amapá

15/11 to 15/03AP

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

Border rivers MT/RO and MT/PA

05/11 to 28/02MTROPA

Allowed: See the exceptions in Portaria 48/2007 and the state rules for each bank.

Source: Portaria IBAMA nº 48/2007

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.

The dorsal fin spines can prick. Hold it by the body and remove the hook without forcing it.

calculator

how much it weighs without taking it out of the water

Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.02138, b = 3.05; 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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sources and references

Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.

  1. scientific FishBase: Cichlasoma bimaculatum (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
  2. scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Cichlasoma bimaculatumNames by country and language.
  3. 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)The species is not on the list. Checked in the DOU of April 28, 2026.
don't confuse

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