| Pimelodidae Temporal range: [1] | |
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| Pimelodus pictus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Superfamily: | Pimelodoidea |
| Family: | Pimelodidae Swaison, 1838 |
| Genera | |
Aguarunichthys Contents | |
| Synonyms | |
Pimelodontidae | |
The Pimelodidae, commonly known as the long-whiskered catfishes, are a family of catfishes (order Siluriformes).
The family Pimelodidae has undergone much revision. Currently, it contains about 30 genera and about 90 recognized and known but unnamed species. [2] Wikipedia lists 109 species in this family. The low-eye catfish (previously family Hypophthalmidae), and thus the genus Hypophthalmus , which contains four species, was reclassified with the pimelodids. [3]
This family previously included fish that are now classified under Pseudopimelodidae (previously subfamily Pseudopimelodinae) and Heptapteridae (previously subfamily Rhamdiinae). [3] This family also previously included Conorhynchos conirostris , currently incertae sedis . [4] However, a molecular analysis has shown unequivocal support for monophyly of the individual families and the genus Conorhynchos into a clade called Pimelodoidea, including Pimelodidae + Pseudopimelodidae and Heptapteridae + Conorhynchos. [5]
Some genera have relatively recently been synonymized. Merodontotus and Goslinia are now both included under Brachyplatystoma . [6] Also, Paulicea is now a synonym of Zungaro . [3]
The six main groups within Pimelodidae are Steindachneridion , the Phractocephalus - Leiarius group, the Pimelodus group, the Calophysus group, Zungaro , and the Sorubim group. [6] The Pimelodus group includes Pimelodus, Exallodontus , Duopalatinus , Cheirocerus , Iheringichthys , Bergiaria , Bagropsis , Parapimelodus , Platysilurus , Platystomatichthys , and Propimelodus . [7] The Calophysus group includes the five genera Aguarunichthys , Pimelodina , Calophysus, Luciopimelodus , and Pinirampus . [8]
The relationships within each genus are still being studied. Most genera lack a hypothesis for monophyly. [9]
All species of Pimelodidae are found in South America and the lower Isthmian region. [2] Their range reaches from South America and Panama north to southernmost Mexico. [3]
Many long-whiskered catfishes grow to be very large, including the piraiba, Brachyplatystoma filamentosum, reaching about 3 m (9.8 ft) in length. They have three pairs of barbels, with maxillary barbels that may reach the length of the fish's body. Like many other catfishes, their bodies lack scales. The adipose fin is well developed. [3]
Many species of Pimelodidae have juvenile forms that appear differently from their adult forms in color pattern, as well as body shape. [10] Brachyplatystoma species have specialized pelagic young with greatly elongated barbels and fin filaments, and strongly ornamented pectoral spines. Other large pimelodids, such as Pseudoplatystoma, Sorubim, and Sorubimichthys, whose young inhabit vegetated, marginal waters, have distinctive cryptic coloration patterns and much enlarged caudal and pectoral fins. [11]
They are generally bottom-living fish, though some are pelagic and probably filter-feeders. [3] They do not guard their young. [4]
Because of their large size in many species, pimelodids are an important food fish in South America. Many species have been hybridized through the use of hormones in an effort to get even larger fish. This same size factor also makes them very popular for sport fishing.
Pimelodids are a common addition to Amazonian-themed exhibits in zoos and public aquaria.
Despite the looming danger of size in many species, pimelodids remain a popular home aquarium fish. Controversy exists over whether or not many of the larger species should be sold in the hobby because of their adult size. Also, some disagreement occurs over hybrids appearing in the hobby, as well. Many species are hardy and easy to take care of. However, it should be taken into consideration what other fish to house pimelodids with, as they do not hesitate to eat other fish that are small enough.
Loricariidae is the largest family of catfish, with 92 genera and just over 680 species. Loricariids originate from freshwater habitats of Costa Rica, Panama, and tropical and subtropical South America. These fish are noted for the bony plates covering their bodies and their suckermouths. Several genera are sold as "plecos", notably the suckermouth catfish, Hypostomus plecostomus, and are popular as aquarium fish.
Hypostomus is a genus of catfish in the family Loricariidae. They are native to tropical and subtropical South America. H. plecostomus is the popular freshwater aquarium fish formerly known as Plecostomus plecostomus. The taxonomic structure of the Loricariidae is still being expanded by scientists. Hypostomus is a highly species-rich and widely distributed catfish genus.
Pseudoplatystoma is a genus of several South American catfish species of family Pimelodidae. The species are known by a number of different common names. They typically inhabit major rivers where they prefer the main channels and tend to stay at maximum depth, but some species can also be seen in lakes, flooded forests, and other freshwater habitats. They have robust bodies, and are important food fish. Recently, their population size has been on the drastic decline due to a variety of factors including overfishing and habitat destruction due to the construction of hydroelectric dams.
Trichomycteridae is a family of catfishes commonly known as pencil catfishes or parasitic catfishes. This family includes the candiru fish, feared by some people for its alleged habit of entering into the urethra of humans. They are one of the few parasitic chordates. Another species is the life monsefuano which was important to the Moche culture and still an important part of Peruvian cuisine.
The redtail catfish, Phractocephalus hemioliopterus, is a pimelodid (long-whiskered) catfish. In Venezuela, it is known as cajaro, in Guyana, it is known as a banana catfish, and in Brazil, it is known as pirarara, stemming from the Tupi language words pirá and arara. It is the only extant species of the genus Phractocephalus. This fish is common in the aquarium trade, although its massive adult size makes it unsuitable for all but the largest aquariums. They feed on fish, crustaceans and fallen fruits. They are not evaluated by IUCN.
The Pseudopimelodidae are a small family of catfishes known as the bumblebee catfishes or dwarf marbled catfishes. Some of these fish are popular aquarium fish.
Sorubim is a small genus of long-whiskered catfish native to tropical South America. A number of characteristics allows the differentiation of each species in the genus. Sorubim species are important food fish in South America and are highly significant to fisheries of some areas; however, harvests of these fish are not identified as much as other, more popular food fishes such as Colossoma, Arapaima, and Brachyplatystoma. Some species of this family are popular aquarium fish.
The Heptapteridae, or three-barbeled catfishes, are a family of catfish that originate from the Americas. Most species are restricted to South America, but Imparfinis lineatus, Nemuroglanis panamensis and Pimelodella chagresi are native to Panama, and Rhamdia species occur as far north as Mexico. The name Heptapteridae is derived from Greek, hepta meaning seven and pteron meaning fin.
Brachyplatystoma is a genus of catfish from the family Pimelodidae. As the occasionally used common name goliath catfishes indicates, this genus includes some of the largest species of catfish, including the piraíba, B. filamentosum, which reaches up to the region of 3.6 metres (12 ft) in length. Brachyplatystoma are found in the Amazon and Orinoco basins, and other tropical freshwater and brackish habitats in South America. Some species are migratory. These fish are important as food fish and, to some extent, aquarium fish.
Propimelodus is a genus of South American catfish of the family Pimelodidae.
Platystomatichthys sturio is the only species in the genus Platystomatichthys of the catfish family Pimelodidae. It is sometimes called the sturgeon catfish. This species occurs in the Amazon Basin and reaches a length of about 40.0 centimetres (15.7 in) TL. Platystomatichthys is classified under the "Calophysus-Pimelodus clade". Within this clade, it is considered a part of the "Pimelodus-group" of Pimelodids, which also includes Pimelodus, Exallodontus, Duopalatinus, Cheirocerus, Iheringichthys, Bergiaria, Bagropsis, Parapimelodus, Platysilurus, and Propimelodus.
Bagropsis reinhardti is a species of long-whiskered catfish. This species reaches about 22.7 cm (8.9 in) in standard length and is endemic to Brazil where it is found in the Das Velhas River basin in São Francisco River drainage. It is considered a threatened species by Brazil's Ministry of the Environment.
Exallodontus aguanai is a catfish species of the monotypic genus Exallodontus of the family Pimelodidae. This genus and species was described in 1991. This species reaches 20 centimetres (7.9 in) SL. This species is native to the Amazon and Orinoco River basins of Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela. Exallodontus is classified under the "Calophysus-Pimelodus clade". Within this clade, it is considered a part of the "Pimelodus-group" of Pimelodids, which also includes Pimelodus, Duopalatinus, Cheirocerus, Iheringichthys, Bergiaria, BagropsisParapimelodus, Platysilurus, Platystomatichthys, and Propimelodus.
The porthole shovelnose catfish or spotted shovelnose catfish, Hemisorubim platyrhynchos, is the only species in the genus Hemisorubim of the catfish family Pimelodidae.
Steindachneridion is a genus of South American pimelodid catfish.
Platynematichthys notatus, the coroatá or striped catfish, is a species of catfish of the monotypic genus Platynematichthys of the family Pimelodidae. It is native to the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America. In the Orinoco this distinctly spotted species reaches up to 1 m (3.3 ft) in standard length, but it reportedly only reaches about half that size in the Amazon.
Duopalatinus is a small genus of long-whiskered catfishes native to South America.
Platysilurus is a genus of long-whiskered catfishes native to South America.
Pimelodus pohli is a species of catfish belonging to the family Pimelodidae. It is only found in the São Francisco River, Brazil, and its tributaries.
Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii, the gilded catfish or dourada, is a species of catfish of the family Pimelodidae that is native to Amazon and Orinoco River basins and major rivers of French Guiana.
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