Within the rich diversity of South American freshwater fish, Colossoma macropomum (Characiformes: Serrasalmidae), known as tambaqui, cachama or blackfin pacu, can reach 30 kg, is a traditional product in regional fish markets and has drawn the attention of fish farmers since the 1930s. Considerable progress achieved in different fields of aquaculture science has contributed to the growth of tambaqui production.