Catfish are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the three largest species alive, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia, the wels catfish of Eurasia and the piraíba of South America, to detritivores, and even to a tiny parasitic species commonly called the candiru, Vandellia cirrhosa. There are armour-plated types and there are also naked types, neither having scales. Despite their name, not all catfish have prominent barbels. Members of the Siluriformes order are defined by features of the skull and swimbladder. Catfish are of considerable commercial importance; many of the larger species are farmed or fished for food. Many of the smaller species, particularly the genus Corydoras, are important in the aquarium hobby. Many catfish are nocturnal, but others are crepuscular or diurnal.
Pseudorinelepis genibarbis is a species of armored catfish native to Brazil and Peru where it is found in the Amazon basin.
Pterygoplichthys or commonly known as Janitor fish is a genus of South American armored catfishes. These fish are commonly known as sailfin armoured catfish or sailfin plecs.
Acanthicus is a genus of large, South American suckermouth armored catfishes native to the Amazon and Orinoco basins, and possibly in Guyana. The name Acanthicus is derived from the Greek, akanthikos meaning thorny, spiny. Fish of this genus are known as lyre-tail plecos. These species are found in large rivers, primarily in areas with a rocky bottom and a moderate or strong current.
Hypancistrus is a genus of loricariid catfish originating from the Amazon basin in South America. Unlike many of the other Loricariids, however, some Hypancistrus species are more carnivorous and enjoy meat in their diet. Hypancistrus species are popular aquarium fish, including such popular fish as the zebra pleco and Queen Arabesque pleco.
Corymbophanes is a genus of armored catfish native to South America where they are only known from Guyana. Corymbophanes is the only genus within the tribe Corymbophanini.
Pogonopoma is a genus of armored catfish native to rivers in south and southeast Brazil.
Megalechis is a small genus of freshwater catfish in the Callichthyinae subfamily of the armored catfish family.
Parancistrus is a small genus of suckermouth armored catfishes native to South America.
Eurycheilichthys is a small genus of armored catfishes native to South America.
Pareiorhina is a genus of armored catfishes native to South America where they are only found in Brazil. These species are known to occur at altitudes above 650 metres (2100 ft) in various rivers of the Grande, Paraíba do Sul, São Francisco and Tietê River basins. This genus was first erected by Gosline in 1947 as a monotypic genus to include Rhinelepis rudolphi. It was not until 2003 that a second species, P. carrancas, was described. The third species, P. brachyrhyncha was described in 2005. Pareiorhina forms a monophyletic subunit with Neoplecostomus within the paraphyletic subfamily Neoplecostominae.
Dekeyseria is a genus of suckermouth armored catfishes native to tropical South America.
Megalancistrus is a genus of large suckermouth armored catfishes native to South America.
Lasiancistrus is a genus of suckermouth armored catfishes. They are native to South America and Panama.
Leporacanthicus is a genus of suckermouth armored catfishes native to South America.
Pseudolithoxus is a genus of suckermouth armored catfishes with five described species from the basins of the Orinoco, Casiquiare and upper Rio Negro in Venezuela. Additionally, a possibly undescribed species is known from the Trombetas and Nhamundá rivers in Brazil.
Ernstichthys is a genus of banjo catfishes that occurs in the Amazon and Orinoco basins.
Rhinelepis strigosa is a species of armored catfish native to Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay where it occurs in the Paraná and Uruguay River basins. This species grows to a length of 40 centimetres (16 in) SL.
