Scientific Name
Brachyplatystoma filamentosum

Common Name
Kumakuma

Biology
Juveniles and subadults may be found in brackish water of river mouths. Found on soft bottoms (Ref. 5217). Feeds on fish (Ref. 27188). Stomach contents are said to include parts of monkeys. In parts of the Amazon, this catfish occasionally makes prey of a man (Ref. 6868). Flesh considered excellent quality (Ref. 5217). Captured using nets and longlines (Ref. 35381). Threatened due to over harvesting (Ref. 58490).

Classification

Classified By

Lichtenstein, 1819

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Long-whiskered catfishes (Pimelodidae)

Distribution

Region

South America

Distribution

South America: Amazon and Orinoco River basins and major rivers of the Guianas and northeastern Brazil. Reported from Argentina (Ref. 9086).

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; demersal; potamodromous (Ref. 51243)

Trophic Level

4.47 s.e. 0.79 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

360 cm

Common Length

120 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5078 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Very high vulnerability (87 of 100)

Resilience

Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated