This is the largest catfish
in the Amazon basin second only to Arapaima gigas
and attaining lengths of over 3 metres but usually
found smaller than this (2 metres). Habitat:
Juveniles and sub adults may be found in brackish
water of river mouths. Found on soft bottoms and feeds
on fish. Diet: Stomach contents are
said to include parts of monkeys. In parts of the
Amazon, this catfish occasionally makes prey of a
man (Roosevelt 1914). Captured using nets and longlines
and is threatened due to over harvesting. This is
not an Aquarium fish.
South America:
Amazon and Orinoco River basins and major rivers of
the Guianas and northeastern Brazil. Type
locality: Brasilien.
Size:
300.0cm. (10ft)
Temp:
22-27°C (71-81°F)
p.H.
6.0-7.2.
Reference:
Burgess, W.E.
1989 An atlas of freshwater and marine catfishes.
A preliminary survey of the Siluriformes. T.F.H. Publications,
Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey (USA). 784 p. Froese, R. and D. Pauly.
Editors. 2009. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic
publication. www.fishbase.org, version (02/2010).
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