Hoplias spp

Common in country side towns, this freshwater fish swims in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs practically nationwide. The flesh is tender and flavorful, but the fish has a bony spine – if it has not been removed by the fishmonger, it may be easier to pull it out all at once after the fish is cooked. The most common  reparation is deep-frying the whole fish, or cutting it into chunks to cook it in a pressure cooker.