Scientific Name
Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum

Common Name
Barred sorubim

Biology
Occurs throughout the principal riverbeds and sometimes in the flooded areas of forests. Its biology is similar to that of P. tigrinum but it appears to be more fond of shady streams. Feeds at night on fish (loricariids, cichlids and characoids) as well as crabs (Ref. 6868). Confines its foraging activities to riverbeds. Its yellowish flesh is succulent and like that of other silurids, it is without bones (Ref. 27188). Females reach a more notable size. They become sexually mature at 56 cm, males at 45 cm. Fecundity is estimated at 8 million eggs per kg (Ref. 35381). Utilized for human consumption.

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1766

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Long-whiskered catfishes (Pimelodidae)

Distribution

Region

South America

Distribution

South America: Amazon, Corantijn, Essequibo, Orinoco and Paran? River basins.

Range

8°N - 11°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

24 °C

Water Temperature To

28 °C

Depth From - meters

5 m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 4 - 30 demersal; potamodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 5 - ? m

Trophic Level

4.38 s.e. 0.78 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

104 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5156 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (39 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.31-0.47; tm=3-5; Tmax=8.7)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated