Golden Dorado

    The Golden Dorado (Salminus brasiliensis) is a large river fish that lives in central and east-central South America. Despite having Salminus in its name, the dorado is not related to any species of salmon, nor to the saltwater fish also called dorado. It is very popular among recreational anglers and also supports large commercial fisheries.    The average size of the golden dorado is about 3–10 kilograms (6.6–22 lb). The largest recorded size is 100 centimetres (39 in) length and 31.4 kilograms (69 lb). Golden Dorado live in warm freshwater habitats in southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and northern Argentina, where found in the river basins of the Paraguay, Uruguay, Chapare and Mamoré, and the drainage of the Lagoa dos Patos. The dorado is considered an endangered species in Paraguay and therefore a 5-year fishing ban is currently on effect there. Other South American river basins hold relatives of this species: S. franciscanus in the São Francisco Basin, S. hilarii in the upper Paraná, Amazon and Orinoco basins, and S. affinis in the Santiago and Magdalena basins in Ecuador and Colombia.