Venezuela: Caracas – El Laguito de los Praceres

El Laguito del Círculo Militar or El Laguito de los Próceres is a scenic area and lake situated within the military grounds of the Military Academy. It’s a very picturesque, palm-fringed artificial lake in the heart of Caracas. The water reflects the surrounding green hills of the military reserve, creating an oasis-like atmosphere within the urban valley. The coolest element of the El Laguito lake are the massive fish that live in it – black cachamas (Colossoma macropomum or Cachama Negra). Native to the Orinoco and Amazon river basins, these freshwater fish can reach lengths between 45-100 cm (1.5 t-3 feet) and weigh anywhere from 10 to over 30 kg (22 to 65 lbs) as adults. Cachamas are very fast-growing and omnivorous.