Porthole shovelnose catfish (Hemisorubim platyrhynchos)

Scientific name: Hemisorubim platyrhynchos Valenciennes, 1840

The Porthole shovelnose catfish (Hemisorubim platyrhynchos) is a freshwater fish of the family Pimelodidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 20–22°C (68–72°F). Native range: South America, Amazon, Maroni, Orinoco, and Paran? River basins.

Porthole shovelnose catfish care at a glance

Temperature: 20–22°C (68–72°F)

Biology

Rather rare, confined to the deeper and slow-moving parts of large rivers together with some Loricaria and Potamotrygon. Its body shape and color pattern are perfectly adapted to the muddy bottom where they stay. Feeds on benthic organisms and fish. The position of the eyes and the shape of the mouth of this piscivorous fish give to its stalking mode of hunting.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Hemisorubim platyrhynchos
Family: Pimelodidae (Long-whiskered catfishes)
Order: Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 52.5
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 7.8; dH range: ? - 25 demersal
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: South America: Amazon, Maroni, Orinoco, and Paran? River basins.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)