Brachyplatystoma filamentosum, commonly called piraíba, kumakuma, valentón or lau lau, is a species of 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]
| 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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Distribution edit
The species is found in rivers and estuaries of Amazon and Orinoco watersheds, Guianas and northeastern Brazil.[2]
Description edit
It grows to a length of 2.8 m.[1] The largest Amazon piraíba are 2 – 2.5 m long and weigh more than 150 kg.[citation needed] Juveniles exhibit dark body spots or blotches.[3]
It is entirely piscivorous preying on loricariids and other bottom-dwelling fish.[3]
Ecology edit
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 edit
As a large fish, piraíba are considered to be game fish and commercial fish. They are generally obligate piscivores; however, stomach contents have been found to include parts of monkeys.[4]
Piraíba are sometimes kept in aquaria, although the adults need a very large tank to accommodate their swimming.[5]
References edit
- ^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2020). "Brachyplatystoma filamentosum" in 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.
- ^ Jarikov, Viktor. "True piraiba aka Brachyplatystoma filamentosum". monsterfishkeepers.com. MonsterFishKeepers. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
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