Dorado

About

The dorado (Salminus brasiliensis) is a large, golden-bodied predator native to the river systems of South America, ranging across the Paraná, Paraguay, and Uruguay basins, as well as parts of Bolivia. Its common name traces back to the Portuguese word for 'golden,' and the fish earns that description. Adults develop a rich, warm coloration that makes juveniles look especially appealing on a store shelf. That appeal is precisely the problem. This species is included here as a caution, not a recommendation. Dorado are highly prized game fish in their native range, growing to sizes that require a tank measured in thousands of gallons. Far beyond what virtually any private fishkeeper can realistically provide. They are strict carnivores that eat fish and crustaceans, and just about anything small enough to swallow is fair game as a meal. Young fish have been kept alongside large tankmates like arowana or peacock bass, but long-term cohabitation options are extremely limited. Breeding in captivity is not a realistic prospect. Juvenile dorado do appear in the trade from time to time, and if you encounter one for sale, the most responsible choice is to leave it in the store. This is a fish best appreciated in the wild or in a large public aquarium.