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fishing forecast

peixe-faca-macana

Apteronotus bonapartii · Apteronotidae · omnivore

Freshwateressential profile

An elongated knifefish from the Amazon basin, from rivers in Brazil and Peru. Reaches 38 cm and has commercial use and use in public aquariums.

Also called: peixe-faca-macana, peixe-faca, macana, macana perro, anguila

Scientific illustration of Peixe-faca-macana
maximum
38 cm
record/max.
0.1 kg
location

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period

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the species

everything about the peixe-faca-macana

overview

who is the peixe-faca-macana

The macana knifefish belongs to the family Apteronotidae, the knifefishes with weak electric discharges, and reaches 38 cm, weighing up to 138 g. It lives in the Amazon basin and in rivers of Peru, in fresh water, from the bottom to midwater. Like other knifefishes, it has an elongated body, flattened from side to side, and a tapered tail. It rarely turns up on the line of rod anglers. In Peru the fish is called macana, and in Ecuador, anguila. It has commercial use and is kept in public aquariums.

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 peixe-faca-macana; in the meantime, see the similar species.

how to recognize it

identification

A very elongated body, flattened from side to side, with a long anal fin and no dorsal fin, typical of the knifefishes of the family. Reaches 38 cm. It looks like the itoui (Porotergus gymnotus), but that one reaches 85 cm. Both belong to the same family and occur in the Amazon basin.

distribution

where found

open on the large map

Amazon basin, in rivers of Brazil and Peru.

Habitat: Rivers of the Amazon basin, from the bottom to midwater.

native to the basins

Amazon
what the law says

rules for the peixe-faca-macana

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.

A long-bodied fish with a weak electric discharge, with no danger to anglers. Remove the hook in the water and release it promptly.

calculator

how much it weighs without taking it out of the water

Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00347, b = 3.06; 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: Apteronotus bonapartii (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 Apteronotus bonapartiiNames 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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