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Illustration of Sardinha-de-rio
fishing forecast

sardinha-de-rio

Triportheus rotundatus · full profile

location

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period

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the species

everything about the sardinha-de-rio

how to recognize it

River sardine with a compressed, elongated body and a sharp keel-like belly, typical of the family Triportheidae. It can be confused with the papuda sardine and with Triportheus elongatus, which live in the same basins. To tell them apart, look at the location: this species is concentrated in the Amazon basin and in coastal rivers of the Guianas.

Also called: sardinha-de-rio, sardinha, catalina, sardina

We don't have tips on season, bait or technique for this species yet.

Where to look: Rivers and small streams with little current.

It occurs in the Amazon basin and coastal rivers of the Guianas, in Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Peru.

native to the basins

Amazon

rules for the sardinha-de-rio

Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.

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

piracema and closed seasons

Each bar is the period when fishing is prohibited or restricted. The green line is today. Tap the name to see what is still allowed.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
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

Closed season in Roraima
01/03 to 30/06RR

Allowed: Subsistence fishing only.

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

Conservation: Not on the Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).

how much it weighs without taking it out of the water

estimated weight

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how we calculate

Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.0166, b = 3.03; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.

more about the sardinha-de-rio

Fish of the family Triportheidae, the river sardines, freshwater. Reaches 26.8 cm and can weigh up to 235 g. It lives in the Amazon basin and in coastal rivers of the Guianas, in Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Peru. It occurs in rivers and streams with little current. It is omnivorous: it eats fruit, seeds and insects that float on the water surface. It breeds in the rainy season. It has commercial use in fishing and is sold for aquariums. It is not dangerous to anglers.

Family: Triportheidae · omnivore

similar species

sources and references (3)

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: Triportheus rotundatus (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 Triportheus rotundatusNames 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.