Pimelodidae

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Long-whiskered catfish

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Siluriformes
Superfamily:	Bagroidea
Family:	Pimelodidae

Genera

See text.

Long-whiskered catfish are fishes of the Pimelodidae family (order Siluriformes), a large family (more than 50 genera) of freshwater Central and South American catfishes, reaching from South America and Panama north to southernmost Mexico.

1 Biology
2 Economic importance
3 In captivity
4 Genera
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] Biology

Many long-whiskered catfishes grow to be very large, including the Piraiba, Brachyplatystoma filamentosum, reaching about 3 m in length. They have three pairs of barbels, with maxillary barbels that may reach the length of the fish's body.

Like many other catfish, their bodies lack scales. They are generally bottom-living fish. They do not guard their young. The adipose fin is well developed.

The low-eye catfish (previously family Hypophthalmidae), and thus the genus Hypophthalmus which contains four species, was reclassified with the Pimelodids.

[edit] Economic importance

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 Pimelodids very popular for sport fishing.

[edit] In captivity

Pimelodids are a common addition to Amazonian-themed exhibits in zoos and aquariums.

Pimelodids are also popular aquarium fish. Controversy exists over whether or not many of the larger Pimelodid species should be sold in the hobby because of their large adult size. Also, there is some disagreement over hybrids appearing in the hobby as well.

Despite the looming danger of size, Pimelodids remain a popular fish. Many species are hardy and easy to take care of. However, care should of course be taken on what other fish to house Pimelodids with, as they won't hesitate to eat other fish that are small enough.