Golden dorado
A large predatory freshwater fish native to South America known for its golden colour.
Salminus brasiliensis is a big characiform found in central and east-central South America. It is not related to salmon despite the name and is highly valued by anglers and commercial fisheries.
- Maximum recorded length is 1.3 m and weight 34 kg.
- Females lay up to 2 million eggs near the surface.
- Native to major South American river basins including Paraguay and Paraná.
- Lives more than 15 years in warm freshwater habitats.
- Threatened by overfishing and dam construction blocking migration.
What it is
This large characiform freshwater fish displays a striking yellow-golden hue as an adult, while juveniles appear more silvery. It possesses a substantial head equipped with powerful jaws and sharp teeth. The species reaches sexual maturity at approximately 38 cm in length. While the average individual weighs between 3 and 10 kg, the maximum recorded size is 1.3 m long and 34 kg heavy. Females typically grow larger than males. It holds the distinction of being the largest scaled freshwater fish within the Río de la Plata Basin.
Where it lives
The species inhabits warm freshwater systems across southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and northern Argentina. Key river basins include the Paraguay, Paraná, Uruguay, Chapare, Mamoré and Guaporé, along with the Lagoa dos Patos drainage. It has also been introduced to several southeast Brazilian basins such as Doce, Paraíba do Sul, Iguazu and Guaraguaçu. Relatives exist in other South American basins like the São Francisco, Amazon, Orinoco, Santiago and Magdalena.
How it lives
Golden dorados are apex predators that primarily consume other fish but also eat large insects, crustaceans and small vertebrates like rodents or birds. They prefer water temperatures between 20 and 28 °C. Although generally solitary, they migrate in groups responding to temperature and food availability. Juveniles mimic the shape and colour of Brycon hilarii to ambush smaller prey. Adults can live over 15 years and may travel about 400 km upstream during migration.
Breeding and life cycle
Females reach maturity around four to five years of age. During spring and summer, they migrate upstream to spawn. They release up to two million eggs near the water surface. Larvae initially feed on plankton before transitioning to insects and small fish as they grow. This migratory behaviour is essential for their reproductive cycle.
Fish and people
The fish is extremely popular among recreational anglers and supports significant commercial fisheries. Its golden colour inspired names derived from Latin words for gold. However, overfishing and dams restricting migration have caused population declines. It is listed as threatened in Rio Grande do Sul and Paraguay, where a five-year fishing ban exists. Introduced populations pose threats to native fish in new river systems.
Status and threats
Populations have declined due to overfishing and dam construction which blocks breeding migrations. The species is classified as threatened in Rio Grande do Sul and Paraguay. A five-year fishing ban was implemented in Paraguay to aid recovery. Introduction to non-native rivers creates ecological risks for local fish communities. Conservation efforts focus on managing fishing pressure and maintaining migration routes.
Questions people ask about Golden dorado
Is the golden dorado related to salmon?
No. Despite having Salminus in its scientific name, it is not related to any salmon species. It is also unrelated to saltwater fish called dorado. The name refers only to its golden colour reflecting light.
What does the golden dorado eat?
Adults are apex predators that mainly eat other fish. They also consume large insects, crustaceans and small vertebrates like rodents, lizards and birds. Larvae start by feeding on plankton before switching to insects and small fish.
Why is the golden dorado endangered?
Populations have declined due to overfishing and dams. Dams restrict the breeding migration required for spawning. It is listed as threatened in parts of Brazil and Paraguay where fishing bans have been enacted.
How large can a golden dorado get?
The average size is 3 to 10 kg. The largest recorded specimen was 1.3 m long and weighed 34 kg. Females generally grow larger than males. Sexual maturity occurs at around 38 cm in length.
Good reading and sources
- Salminus brasiliensis on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Salminus brasiliensis", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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