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.
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