Brachyplatystoma filamentosum (Lichtenstein, 1819)
Kumakuma
Brachyplatystoma filamentosum
photo by Sabaj PĂ©rez, M.H.

Family:  Pimelodidae (Long-whiskered catfishes)
Max. size:  360 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 200 kg
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish, potamodromous
Distribution:  South America: Amazon and Orinoco River basins and major rivers of the Guianas and northeastern Brazil. Reported from Argentina (Ref. 9086).
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Juveniles and subadults may be found in brackish water of river mouths. Found on soft bottoms (Ref. 5217). Feeds on fish (Ref. 27188). Stomach contents are said to include parts of monkeys. In parts of the Amazon, this catfish occasionally makes prey of a man (Ref. 6868). Flesh considered excellent quality (Ref. 5217). Captured using nets and longlines (Ref. 35381). Threatened due to over harvesting (Ref. 58490).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 14 December 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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