The machaca (Brycon spp.), a robust, hard-fighting freshwater fish native to Central and northern South America, is especially prized by sport anglers for its aggressive surface strikes and acrobatic battles. Characterized by its torpedo-shaped body and pronounced, toothy jaw, the machaca is closely related to the famous pacu and is sometimes called the “South American freshwater tarpon.” The top countries for machaca fishing are Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, and Colombia, where the species thrives in fast-flowing rivers and rainforest streams. While the commercial harvest of machaca is limited and mostly local, its popularity as a sportfish has grown, supporting a small but vibrant ecotourism industry in these regions. Sustainable catch-and-release practices are increasingly promoted to preserve machaca populations, as their habitats are sensitive to environmental changes and overfishing.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nicaragua | 107 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.