The catfishes of the genus Brachyplatystoma are some of the most important foodfish in the basins of the Amazon, the Orinoco and the countries of the Guiana shield. Some of them may reach a length of 360 cm and a weight of 200 kg. Many thousand tons are landed each year, which led to local breakdown of the populations and to demands for long-sighted management. Details of the biology of the species, however, remain mostly unknown. Only 4 years ago a new species of these giants was decribed scientifically. Although the species is well known for a long time, it was always mixed up with other species: Brachyplatystoma capapretum. In the scientific paper in which the species is described, 7 species of Brachyplatystoma are recognized. Important for the aquarist: the existence of the sometimes body-long filamentous rays of the caudal fin in juveniles was found to be a genus-specific feature. So, for example, the catfish formerly known as Merodontotus tigrinus now is a member of Brachyplatystoma, as well as the former Goslinea platynemum. The most popular species among the fans of predatory catfishes is Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii, although they do not know it. Only slowly people become aware of the fact that for decades the wrong name Brachyplatystoma flavicans has been applied to the species (it is a synomym of Zungaro zungaro). We now have again some young specimens of these up to 2 m long giants in stock. We are sure they soon will fill the owners of giantic aquaria with enthusiasm. For our customers: the fish have the code number 211100. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Text: Frank Schäfer, Photos: Erwin Schraml Literatur: Lundberg, J. G. & A. Akama (2005): Brachyplatystoma capapretum: a New Species of Goliath Catfish from the Amazon Basin, with a Reclassification of Allied Catfishes (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae). Copeia 2005 (3): 492-516
| Angaben zum Tier | |
|---|---|
| Herkunft | Südamerika / South America |
| Verfügbare Größe in cm | 4-7 |
