Description:
These are streamlined catfishes of modest size with
adult lengths ranging among species from ca. 10-30
cm SL. Their clear to hyaline fins are gracefully
shaped and often filamentous, with flexible fin spines
in the dorsal and pectoral fins, and an expansive
adipose fin. Habitat: The pimelodid
catfish genus Megalonema has an ample distribution
in South America throughout the Paraná, Amazon,
Essequibo, Orinoco, Maracaibo and Magdalena basins.
The species of Megalonema inhabit medium
to large rivers mostly in flowing marginal reaches
and over fine substrates of mud or sand. Colouration:
In colour Megalonema are mostly plain yellowish
to tan and generally without prominent marks except
for the common presence of an embedded dark spot in
the base of the upper caudal-fin lobe, and sometimes
also the lower lobe. Aquarium Care:
This is the largest species of this genera so provide
a tank of at least 4ft x 2ft x 2ft with a medium water
flow and weekly water changes. Diet:
When this species was caught on hook and line it was
found to have beetle larvae, fish scales and catfish
spines in its stomach contents. In the aquaria it
will accept sinking pellets and most types of worms
and shelfish. Remarks: For more information
on this species and genera read the paper by Lundberg,
J.G. and W.M. Dahdul, 2008 and the catfish book by
Steven Grant (2021) on Pims which are referenced below.
Common
Name:
None
Synonyms:
None
Family:
Pimelodidae
Distribution:
South America:
Amazon, Essequibo, and Orinoco River basins. Type
locality: Tumatumari, British Guiana.
Size:
30.0cm. (12ins)
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. Ferraris, C.J. Jr.,
2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes:
Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary
types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628. Grant, Steven. Pims.
Pimelodidae, Heptapteridae and Pseudopimelodidae Catfishes.
ATS-Aquashop.de 2021 219p. Lundberg, G. John; Dahdul, M. Wasila;
2008. Two new cis-Andean species of the South American
catfish genus Megalonema allied to trans-Andean Megalonema
xanthum, with description of a new subgenus (Siluriformes:
Pimelodidae). Neotrop. ichthyol. vol.6 no.3 Porto
Alegre 2008.
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