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This species was first described as Pimelodus barbancho; however, this is considered a nomen oblitum. It was then described as Pimelodus pirinampu in 1829. In 1858, the genus Pinirampus was described for this species, in which it is usually classified as the only species. However, P. argentinus has been considered a part of this genus. There are conflicting views on the adult size of this species from 50 to 120cm but whatever view you take this is a large and predatory catfish that would need to be housed with larger tank mates. Aquarium Care: Needs a large tank over 4'0 in length as juvenile and maybe larger as it grows into adulthood. It is territorial towards conspecifics and similar fishes. Provide hiding places with a large filtration capacity capable of handling the high nitrogenous waste that it will produce. Diet: live foods, earthworms, tablet, frozen and pellet foods. This is a catfish for the experienced large predatory catfish keeper and not for beginners. Etymology: The specific name pirinampu: pirinampú, local name for this catfish in Brazil at time of description.

Flatwhiskered catfish

Pimelodus pirinampu, Pimelodus insignis, Galeichthys araguayensis, Platynematichthys araguayensis, Pinirampus typus, Pinirampus agassizii

Pimelodidae

South America: Amazon, Essequibo, Orinoco, and Paraná basins. Type locality: Brasiliae fluviis.

100.0cm. (3ft 4ins)

22-28°C (71 -83°F)

6.0-8.0.

Baensch, H.A. and R. Riehl 1991 Aquarien atlas. Bd. 3. Melle: Mergus, Verlag für Natur- und Heimtierkunde, Germany. 1104 p.
Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
Salvador, G.N. 2023. Pinirampus pirinampu. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2023.