Biology:Brachyplatystoma filamentosum

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Short description: Species of fish

Brachyplatystoma filamentosum
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Pimelodidae
Genus: Brachyplatystoma
Species:
B. filamentosum
Binomial name
Brachyplatystoma filamentosum
(Lichtenstein, 1819)
Synonyms
  • Brachyplatystoma goeldii
  • Pimelodus filamentosus
  • Piratinga piraaiba
  • Platystoma affine
  • Platystoma gigas
  • Sorubimichthys gigas

Brachyplatystoma filamentosum, commonly called piraíba, kumakuma, or lau lau, is a species of large catfish of the family Pimelodidae and genus Brachyplatystoma that is native to Amazon and Orinoco River basins and rivers in Guianas and northeastern Brazil.[1][2]

Distribution

It is a widespread species that is found in rivers and estuaries of Amazon and Orinoco watersheds, Guianas and northeastern Brazil.[2]

Description

It grows to a length of 2.8 m.[1] The largest Amazon Piraíba records 2 – 2.5 m weighing more than 150 kg.[citation needed]

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]

Pescador com Piraíba.jpg

Ecology

Brachyplatystoma filamentosum is found in both freshwater and brackish water systems. The species is a demersal potamodromous fish that commonly inhabits deeper, flowing channels with soft bottoms.[2]

Uses

Though a massive species, Piraíba is considered as a game fish and commercial fish. Generally harmless, it is known to be an obligate piscivore; however, stomach contents are said to include parts of monkeys.[4]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q1577680 entry