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Brachyplatystoma filamentosum
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Brachyplatystoma filamentosum
Brachyplatystoma filamentosum, commonly called piraíba, kumakuma, valentón or laulau, and goliath catfish is a species of catfish in the family Pimelodidae which is native to the Amazon and Orinoco River basins, rivers of the Guianas and North-eastern Brazil. It is an important predator in its ecosystem, and in turn is a food fish.
The name "piraíba" is used by locals to define B. filamentosum specimens larger than 1.6 m (50 kg), while the term "filhote" is used for smaller individuals.
The piraíba reaches up to 3.6 metres (12 ft) in length and 200 kilograms (440 lb) in weight, though most individuals do not reach these dimensions, more commonly being 120 centimetres (47 in). Juveniles exhibit dark body spots or blotches. Like all fish in the Brachyplatystoma genus, the piraíba's single, outermost ray of the caudal fin extends into long filamentous extensions, which are complemented by long maxillary barbels that extend past the dorsal fin. The maxillary barbels may even extend to the caudal fin, especially when young. These long filaments and barbels are only reliably found on juveniles and sub-adults; it is assumed they are shortened or severed in attacks by other fish, or by accident.
B. capapretum, also called the "false piraíba", was recognized as distinct from B. filamentosum and described in 2005. These two species are sister genera; the species are assumed to be ecologically similar, and most locals do not differentiate between the two. The two species can be differentiated through premaxillary dentition, juvenile and adult colouration, and adult maxillary barbel length and caudal fin shape. Both species exhibit spotting in their juvenile stages, although in B. filamentosum these spots are about the same size as the eye, while in B. capapretum these spots are much larger in diameter.
The adult B. filamentosum has a relatively light dorsum, especially when compared to B. capapretum, which has a very dark or even black dorsum. Adult B. filamentosum have dark grey colouring on the dorsal side of the body, with a lighter white underside. They have paired pectoral fins, pelvic fins, a single unpaired dorsal fin, anal fin, and an adipose fin. The caudal fin is forked. While their body structure is somewhat reminiscent of a shark, they can be identified by their 3 pairs of barbels around the mouth.
The mitogenome of the piraíba was sequenced in 2025; it was found to possess 16,566 base pairs.
The species is found in rivers and estuaries of Amazon and Orinoco watersheds, Guianas and northeastern Brazil.
B. 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.
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Brachyplatystoma filamentosum
Brachyplatystoma filamentosum, commonly called piraíba, kumakuma, valentón or laulau, and goliath catfish is a species of catfish in the family Pimelodidae which is native to the Amazon and Orinoco River basins, rivers of the Guianas and North-eastern Brazil. It is an important predator in its ecosystem, and in turn is a food fish.
The name "piraíba" is used by locals to define B. filamentosum specimens larger than 1.6 m (50 kg), while the term "filhote" is used for smaller individuals.
The piraíba reaches up to 3.6 metres (12 ft) in length and 200 kilograms (440 lb) in weight, though most individuals do not reach these dimensions, more commonly being 120 centimetres (47 in). Juveniles exhibit dark body spots or blotches. Like all fish in the Brachyplatystoma genus, the piraíba's single, outermost ray of the caudal fin extends into long filamentous extensions, which are complemented by long maxillary barbels that extend past the dorsal fin. The maxillary barbels may even extend to the caudal fin, especially when young. These long filaments and barbels are only reliably found on juveniles and sub-adults; it is assumed they are shortened or severed in attacks by other fish, or by accident.
B. capapretum, also called the "false piraíba", was recognized as distinct from B. filamentosum and described in 2005. These two species are sister genera; the species are assumed to be ecologically similar, and most locals do not differentiate between the two. The two species can be differentiated through premaxillary dentition, juvenile and adult colouration, and adult maxillary barbel length and caudal fin shape. Both species exhibit spotting in their juvenile stages, although in B. filamentosum these spots are about the same size as the eye, while in B. capapretum these spots are much larger in diameter.
The adult B. filamentosum has a relatively light dorsum, especially when compared to B. capapretum, which has a very dark or even black dorsum. Adult B. filamentosum have dark grey colouring on the dorsal side of the body, with a lighter white underside. They have paired pectoral fins, pelvic fins, a single unpaired dorsal fin, anal fin, and an adipose fin. The caudal fin is forked. While their body structure is somewhat reminiscent of a shark, they can be identified by their 3 pairs of barbels around the mouth.
The mitogenome of the piraíba was sequenced in 2025; it was found to possess 16,566 base pairs.
The species is found in rivers and estuaries of Amazon and Orinoco watersheds, Guianas and northeastern Brazil.
B. 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.