Brachyplatystoma filamentosum: Difference between revisions
←Created page with '{{Speciesbox | image = | status = NE | status_system = IUCN3.1 | taxon = Brachyplatystoma filamentosum | authority = (Lichtenstein, 1819) | synonyms = *''Brac...' |
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Revision as of 18:02, 2 June 2020
| Brachyplatystoma filamentosum | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Pimelodidae |
| Genus: | Brachyplatystoma |
| Species: | B. filamentosum
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| Binomial name | |
| Brachyplatystoma filamentosum (Lichtenstein, 1819)
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| Synonyms | |
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The Piraiba or Kumakuma, (Brachyplatystoma filamentosum), is a species of large catfish of the family Pimelodidae that is native to Amazon and Orinoco River basins and fluvials in Guianas and northeastern Brazil.[1][2] It is the largest catfish in the world.
Distribution
It is a much widespread species that is found rivers and estuaries of Amazon and Orinoco watersheds, Guianas and northeastern Brazil.[2]
Description
It grows to a length of 2800 mm.[1] The largest Amazon piraiba records 2 – 2.5 m weighing more than 150 kg.
Dorsum dark to light grey with small dark spots on caudal-fin or peduncle. Dorsal fin with pink shading. Caudal fin deeply-forked. Juveniles exhibit dark body spots or blotches.[3]
It is entirely piscivorous preying on loricariids and other bottom-dwelling fish.[3]
Ecology
It is found in both freshwater and brackish water systems. It is a demersal potamodromous fish commonly inhabits deeper, flowing channels with soft bottoms.[2]
Uses
Though a massive species, piraiba is considered as a game fish and commercial fish. Generally a harmless fish, it is known to be a obligate piscivore, however, stomach contents are said to include parts of monkeys.[4] The fish widely documented in the US television series River Monsters conducted by extreme angler and biologist Jeremy Wade in the episode Amazon Flesh Eaters. During the documentary, Wade captured a 250 pounds piraiba.[5]
References
- ^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Brachyplatystoma filamentosum". FishBase. June 2020 version.
- ^ a b c "Cat-eLog - Pimelodidae - Brachyplatystoma vaillantii". Planet Catfish. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
- ^ a b "Brachyplatystoma ilamentosum (LICHTENSTEIN, 1819) - Piraíba". Seriously Fish. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
- ^ "Kumakuma (Brachyplatystoma filamentosum) Ecological Risk Screening Summary" (PDF). fws.gov. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
- ^ "Lau Lau in River Monsters". river-monsters. Retrieved 2020-06-02.