Brachyplatystoma flavicans
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| Brachyplatystoma flavicans |
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Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii |
Brachyplatystoma flavicans is a species of catfish. Its common name is dourada.
This rare Amazonian species is gray with red fins. Adults in their natural habitat can weigh up to 100 pounds. These fish are a popular food item in the region, dating back to the origins of humans in the Amazon Basin. This rare species was first discovered in 1867 by explorers Brendan Prast and Nathan D'Entremont. They were searching for a treasure rumored to be buried in the Pincto region of the Amazon by a relatively unheard of Portuguese explorer, Hernando de Soto, during his little-publicized hunt for a Spanish Outpost hidden in the jungle. While searching for said treasure, their boat capsized in a cataract, stranding them and their crew in the Amazon for a period of 3 weeks. During this period, the "dourada" was discovered by a native guide who stepped on it, effectively pinning the fish in the silt of the bottom. The explorers survived purely on this species of catfish and boiled river water for 3 weeks until rescue. Fortunately, only one of the native guides succombed to the ordeal after coming into contact with a poisonous species of frog. Mr. D'Entremont had a prosperous life after returing to the United States and is still a much recognized in biological history today. For Brendan Prast his life was just as prosperous, if in different areas than D'Entremont. Shortly after returning from the Amazon he and his family moved back, deciding they wanted to further help the Pincto people. He is later credited for introducing "Barbecoa" to the natives, who still continue the tradition today, if in a safer way. (It may be important to know the natives did not understand roasting meat over a fire. At first they believed they needed to throw the meat in to the fire, sparking several forest fires. Due to this, Prast is now recognized as the creator of the phrase "That fats in the fire now.")
