The payara (Hydrolycus scomberoides), nicknamed the vampire fish, is one of the Amazon River’s most remarkable predators. Famous for its two long fangs that protrude from its lower jaw, the payara can reach over three feet in length and weigh up to 35 pounds. It thrives in fast-moving waters, where it hunts for smaller fish, using its speed and sharp teeth to secure prey. Anglers from around the world travel to the Amazon for the chance to catch this powerful fish, making it a prized trophy in sport fishing. Beyond its intimidating appearance, the payara plays a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance of its habitat. Observing or catching one offers a glimpse into the wild beauty and raw power of the Amazon’s aquatic life.
The payara (Hydrolycus armatus) is a legendary predator native to the Amazon and Orinoco basins in tropical South America, including the Xingu River basin. Often referred to as the vampire fish, this creature commands awe and respect from anglers worldwide.
1. Why It Earned Its Name
Payara are armed with two curved lower-jaw fangs that can grow up to 4–6 inches long—so large the fish develop special pockets in their upper jaws to accommodate them when closed. These fearsome teeth are used to impale and hold prey, earning nicknames like "saber‑toothed tiger fish," "dogtooth characin," and "water wolf."
2. Size & Strength
Wild specimens commonly reach 2 to 3 feet in length and weigh 10 to 35 pounds. The largest recorded individual tipped the scales at nearly 40 pounds. Payara are built for power: sleek, silvery bodies, fan-shaped caudal fins for bursts of speed, and muscular frames designed for current-blasted river pools.
3. Habitat & Behavior
These fish prefer fast‑moving, oxygen-rich water, often found in rapids, deep pools, and rocky river stretches across Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador. Payara are active predators—they often hunt piranhas and other fish up to nearly half their own length and sometimes drive away potential competitors just to clear hunting space.
4. Fly-fishing challenge
For fly anglers, the payara is iconic—and notorious. Known as one of the hardest-hitting freshwater sportfish in South America, they deliver explosive strikes and powerful runs, often jumping or spitting hooks due to their strong jaws. Anglers typically fish early morning or late afternoon in eddies and deep structure, using large flash flies, sink‑tip lines, and heavy tippets due to their toothy mouths. At remote lodges like Xingu or Kendjam, anglers frequently tussle with fish between 5–20 pounds, though trophies up to 35 lbs are possible.
5. Mystery & Conservation
Although well‑known to anglers, the payara’s biology retains mysteries—its breeding habits, migration cycles, and population trends are still poorly documented. It has not yet been fully assessed for conservation status.