Gilded catfish (Zungaro zungaro)

Scientific name: Zungaro zungaro Humboldt, 1821

The Gilded catfish (Zungaro zungaro) is a freshwater fish of the family Pimelodidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 20–24°C (68–75°F). Native range: South America, Amazon and Orinoco River basins.

Gilded catfish care at a glance

Temperature: 20–24°C (68–75°F)

Biology

Specimens measuring 130 cm and weighing 50 kg are not rare. In the Amazon, this fish is found quite upstream, in the main bed of the big tributaries with muddy bottom. Mainly piscivorous, hunts at night, sometimes going into flood prone areas of rivers. Some migrations in pursuit of migrating Triportheus and Anodus have been reported. Sexually mature upon reaching 10 kg weight. The nursery ground is at the river mouths.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Zungaro zungaro
Family: Pimelodidae (Long-whiskered catfishes)
Order: Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 140
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 6.5 - 7.2; dH range: ? - 18 demersal; potamodromous
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: South America: Amazon and Orinoco River basins.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)