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Megalonema platycephalum Eigenmann, 1912

 

Image contributors to this species:

Enrico Richter (1) Julio Endler (3) Karsten Schönherr (2) Mark Henry Sabaj (1) Erling Holm (1)

ScotCat Sources:

Etymology = Genus

Other Sources:

Search  Fishbase  Catalog of Fishes  Global Biodiversity Information Facility  FishNet2  iNaturalist

Relevant Information:

Habitat: The pimelodid catfish genus Megalonema has an ample distribution in South America throughout the Paraná, Amazon, Essequibo, Orinoco, Maracaibo and Magdalena basins. The species of Megalonema inhabit medium to large rivers mostly in flowing marginal reaches and over fine substrates of mud or sand. Description: These are streamlined catfishes of modest size with adult lengths ranging among species from ca. 10-30 cm SL. Their clear to hyaline fins are gracefully shaped and often filamentous, with flexible fin spines in the dorsal and pectoral fins, and an expansive adipose fin. Colouration: In colour Megalonema are mostly plain yellowish to tan and generally without prominent marks except for the common presence of an embedded dark spot in the base of the upper caudal-fin lobe, and sometimes also the lower lobe. Aquarium Care: This is the largest species of this genera so provide a tank of at least 4ft x 2ft x 2ft with a medium water flow and weekly water changes. Diet: When this species was caught on hook and line it was found to have beetle larvae, fish scales and catfish spines in its stomach contents. In the aquaria it will accept sinking pellets and most types of worms and shelfish. Remarks: For more information on this species and genera read the paper by Lundberg, J.G. and W.M. Dahdul, 2008 and the catfish book by Steven Grant (2021) on Pims which are referenced below.

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

None

Family:

Pimelodidae

Distribution:

South America: Amazon, Essequibo, and Orinoco River basins. Type locality: Tumatumari, British Guiana.

Size:

30.0cm. (12ins)

Temp:

22-27°C (71-81°F)

p.H.

6.0-7.2.

Reference:

Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
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.
Lundberg, G. John; Dahdul, M. Wasila; 2008. Two new cis-Andean species of the South American catfish genus Megalonema allied to trans-Andean Megalonema xanthum, with description of a new subgenus (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae). Neotrop. ichthyol. vol.6 no.3 Porto Alegre 2008.
Grant, Steven. Pims. Pimelodidae, Heptapteridae and Pseudopimelodidae Catfishes. ATS-Aquashop.de 2021 219p.



Back to Family page

Family: Pimelodidae  Back to Ident-A-Cat  Click on Thumbnails

Click for full image Megalonema platycephalum
Click for full imageMegalonema platycephalum
Click for full imageMegalonema platycephalum
Dorsal view
Click for full imageMegalonema platycephalum
Head view
Click for full imageMegalonema platycephalum
Click for full imageMegalonema platycephalum
Mouth view
Click for full imageMegalonema platycephalum
Click for full imageMegalonema platycephalum

 

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