Kumakuma (Brachyplatystoma filamentosum)

Scientific name: Brachyplatystoma filamentosum Lichtenstein, 1819

Kumakuma (Brachyplatystoma filamentosum)

The Kumakuma (Brachyplatystoma filamentosum) is a freshwater fish of the family Pimelodidae. Native range: South America, Amazon and Orinoco River basins and major rivers of the Guianas and northeastern Brazil. Reported from Argentina.

Biology

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

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Brachyplatystoma filamentosum
Family
Pimelodidae (Long-whiskered catfishes)
Order
Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
360
Common length
120
Environment
Freshwater; brackish; demersal; potamodromous
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
South America: Amazon and Orinoco River basins and major rivers of the Guianas and northeastern Brazil. Reported from Argentina.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience
Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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