Scientific Name
Platystacus cotylephorus

Common Name
Banded banjo

Biology
Occurs mainly in brackish water. Found on soft bottoms of shallow turbid water near river mouths. Reported to migrate from estuary into freshwater, but actual spawning apparently takes place in brackish water (Ref. 6868). The species has a peculiar mode of egg incubation wherein the female banjo catfish carries the eggs firmly attached to the underside of the body. This seems to be an adaptation to facilitate the oxygenation of the eggs in muddy environments. Reproduction probably occurs during the earlier part of the year (Ref. 35381).

Classification

Classified By

Bloch, 1794

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Banjo catfishes (Aspredinidae)

Distribution

Region

Central and South America

Distribution

Central and South America: Venezuela to northern Brazil (including the lower portions of coastal rivers).

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

22 °C

Water Temperature To

25 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; ; pH range: 6.8 - 8.2; dH range: 12 - 35 demersal

Trophic Level

3.24 s.e. 0.36 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

31.8 cm

Common Length

15.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (29 of 100)

Resilience

Unknown

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated