Calophysus macropterus

Calophysus macropterus (also known as the Piracatinga, Vulture Catfish, or Zamurito) is a species of catfish (order Siluriformes) of the monotypic genus Calophysus of the family Pimelodidae.[1]

Calophysus macropterus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Pimelodidae
Genus: Calophysus
Müller & Troschel in Müller, 1843
Species:
C. macropterus
Binomial name
Calophysus macropterus
(Lichtenstein, 1819)
Synonyms
  • Pimelodes macropterus
    Lichtenstein, 1819
  • Pimelodus ctenodus
    Spix & Agassiz, 1829
  • Pimeletropis lateralis
    Gill, 1859

This fish has also been placed in its own family, Calophysidae.[2]

This species reaches 40 centimetres (16 in) SL and originates from the Amazon and Orinoco basins.[3] This species is reported to commonly attack the fishes caught in fishermen's nets and seines as well as those hooked on trotlines or gaffed.[3]

This fish species is a smaller Pimelodid, and may be appropriate for a large aquarium. It is an adaptable and hardy species. Tankmates should be chosen with great care as this fish has the ability to bite and tear off pieces of flesh,[2][4] although many who have actually kept the fish report no apparent signs of aggression.[5]

References
  1. "Calophysus macropterus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved May 23, 2007.
  2. "PlanetCatfish::Catfish of the Month::May 2006". 2006-05-10. Retrieved 2007-06-08.
  3. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2012). "Calophysus macropterus" in FishBase. February 2012 version.
  4. Black, Richard (2008-03-26). "Dolphin woos with wood and grass". BBC News. Retrieved 2008-03-26.
  5. "Calophysus macropterus (Vulture Catfish) Questions". 2011-06-08. Retrieved 2011-12-12.


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