Brachyplatystoma filamentosum

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

Brachyplatystoma filamentosum
Scientific classification
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

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 2.8 m.[1] The largest Amazon Piraíba 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, Piraíba is considered as a game fish and commercial fish. Generally a harmless fish, it is known to be an obligate piscivore, however, stomach contents are said to include parts of monkeys.[4]

References
  1. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2020). "Brachyplatystoma filamentosum" in FishBase. June 2020 version.
  2. "Cat-eLog - Pimelodidae - Brachyplatystoma vaillantii". Planet Catfish. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
  3. "Brachyplatystoma ilamentosum (LICHTENSTEIN, 1819) - Piraíba". Seriously Fish. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
  4. "Kumakuma (Brachyplatystoma filamentosum) Ecological Risk Screening Summary" (PDF). fws.gov. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
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