SCOTCAT.COM
your internet guide to all things catfish
Brachyplatystoma filamentosum (Lichtenstein, 1819) |
Image contributors to this species: |
Nishant Kikani (1) Enrico Richter (3) Nathan Lujan (1) |
ScotCat Sources: |
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Other Sources: |
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Relevant Information: |
This is the largest catfish in the Amazon basin second only to Arapaima gigas and attaining lengths of over 3 metres but usually found smaller than this (2 metres). Habitat: Juveniles and sub adults may be found in brackish water of river mouths. Found on soft bottoms and feeds on fish. Diet: Stomach contents are said to include parts of monkeys. In parts of the Amazon, this catfish occasionally makes prey of a man (Roosevelt 1914). Captured using nets and longlines and is threatened due to over harvesting. This is not an Aquarium fish. |
Common Name: |
None |
Synonyms: |
Pimelodus filamentosus, Platystoma affine, Platystoma gigas, Sorubimichthys gigas, Piratinga pirá- aïba, Brachyplatystoma goeldii. |
Family: |
Pimelodidae |
Distribution: |
South America: Amazon and Orinoco River basins and major rivers of the Guianas and northeastern Brazil. Type locality: Brasilien. |
Size: |
300.0cm. (10ft) |
Temp: |
22-27°C (71-81°F) |
p.H. |
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6.0-7.2. |
Reference: |
Burgess, W.E.
1989 An atlas of freshwater and marine catfishes.
A preliminary survey of the Siluriformes. T.F.H. Publications,
Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey (USA). 784 p. |
Family: Pimelodidae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails |
Brachyplatystoma filamentosumJuvenile |
 Brachyplatystoma
filamentosumJuvenile colours |
 Brachyplatystoma
filamentosumPeru |
 Brachyplatystoma
filamentosum |
 Brachyplatystoma
filamentosumCasiquiare Canal, Venezuela |
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