Pirarucu fish of 2.44 meters captured in Rio Machado

A large pirarucu, measuring approximately 2.44 meters in length and weighing 120 kilograms, was captured in the Rio Machado in Ji-Paraná at the end of August. The catch was made by professional fisherman Dorval Nunes Coelho with support from the Z-9 Fishermen's Colony.

Manuel Dantas, president of the entity, noted that this specimen may be the largest pirarucu ever caught by local fishermen in the region. The increasing frequency of pirarucu sightings in the Rio Machado has drawn attention from the local community. One hypothesis suggests that fish may be entering the river after escaping from aquaculture areas during heavy rains and flooding.

The pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) is a native species of the Amazon Basin and is among the largest freshwater scale fish in the world. While economically important for aquaculture and fishing in Rondônia, the species' presence in certain areas has raised environmental concerns. In the Madeira River, for instance, the species is treated as invasive due to its potential impact on local aquatic fauna, leading Ibama to authorize culling in specific sections to protect the ecosystem.