| Sorubim | |
|---|---|
| Sorubim lima | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Pimelodidae |
| Genus: | Sorubim Cuvier, 1829 |
| Binomial name | |
|
S. cuspicaudus |
|
| Synonyms | |
Sorubim is a small genus of Pimelodid catfish originating from tropical South America.[1] A number of characteristics allows the differentiation of each species in the genus. Sorubim 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.[2] Some species of this family are popular aquarium fish.
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The genus name is derived from a Brazilian local name, Sorubí.[3] The description of Sorubim has been attributed to both Cuvier and Agassiz in 1829, but because Cuvier's description predates that of Agassiz's by two months, Cuvier's is valid.[3] Later, Sorubim lima, originally described as Siluris lima in 1801, was designated as the type species by Bleeker in 1862.[4]
In 2007 this genus was reviewed, validating five species.[5] S. lima and S. trigonocephalus are redescribed in this paper.[6] This genus is monophyletic.[3]
Sorubim is a widely distributed genus, collected from many major river basins and ten countries.[6] S. lima is the most widely distributed species of the genus, found east of the Andes in the Amazon, Orinoco, Parana, and Parnaiba basins. It is syntopic with S. elongatus in the Orinoco basin and with S. elongatus and S. maniradii in the upper Amazon drainage of Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.[2][7] S. maniradii was discovered in the Napo and Yasumi River drainages of Ecuador, but also occurs in other tributaries of the Amazon.[2][8] S. elongatus is found in the Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo River basins.[9] S. cuspicaudus is found in northern Colombia and inhabits Lake Maracaibo, Sinu River, Cauca River, and Magdalena River basins.[6] S. trigonocephalus is the rarest of the genus; only three specimens have ever been collected, from the Tapajos River and the Madeira River.[2][10]
Sorubim are found in fast-moving water and slow-moving water, including lakes, rivers, and bays. Typically the substrate is either sand, clay, and mud, associating themselves with reeds, grasses, and roots.[6] They are not found as often over substrates of strictly sand or mud. They are also not found as commonly in clearer blackwater habitats.[3] S. elongatus occurs in both whitewater and blackwater, found in floodplain lakes and small creeks to large rivers.[9] S. lima is commonly found in schools.[7]
Sorubim, like other catfish, possess a dorsal and pectoral fin spines. They have a triangular adipose fin.[4] As Pimelodidae, these fish have very long barbels, especially maxillary barbels, which range in length from reaching the pectoral fin to extending past the pelvic fins.[11] Like some other Pimelodid genera, these fish may have long filaments on their dorsal, pectoral, and caudal fins; in juveniles, these filaments may be even longer than the body.[4] Sorubim is characterized by a shovel-like, projecting upper jaw with an exposed, villiform (brush-like) premaxillary tooth patch. The head is depressed and usually three times longer than it is wide. The eyes are set laterally and usually visible from below. They have a characteristic black, lateral stripe, variable in width, that extends from the snout to the end of the caudal fin; though this may seem minor, no other Pimelodid has a lateral stripe that reaches down the entire length of the head and body.[4]
Along with the lateral stripe, Sorubim species have a darkened dorsal surface, which are sometimes separated by a thinner, lighter-colored band. The dorsal surface may change its shade quickly with its surroundings.[11] Sorubim lima may also display dark blotches or spots on its dorsal surface. The ventral part of the body is white or cream colored. Light areas may appear golden or slate gray, often appearing iridescent. Young fish are more heavily pigmented than adults.[2] Posterior-most rays on dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins are elongated, darker, and heavily speckled with chromatophores; however, this speckling is reduced in the adults. This could provide camouflage when the fish is young and hiding among plant materials, and is lost when the adults live in more open water habitats.[3]
S. lima appears similar to S. trigonocephalus; however, the latter has a long snout, pointed (triangular) head, and an exposed patch of premaxillary teeth that is as wide as it is long.[5] S. cuspicaudus is markedly different caudal tail (straight, pointed, and long) is in contrast to the other Sorubim with more rounded caudal fin lobes.[5] S. maniradii is differentiated from the other species by a high number of gill rakers, ranging from 31-37 rakers, compared to the 13-23 of the other Sorubim species, as well as a more diffuse lateral stripe.[5] S. elongatus has an elongated head and body, and appears rather slender in comparison to the other members of this genus.[4]
S. cuspicaudus is the largest species in the genus, reaching up to 80 centimetres (30 in).[12] S. trigonocephalus and S. lima reach a length of about 50 cm (20 in).[7][10] By contrast, S. elongatus and S. maniradii only reaches about half that length, 30 cm (12 in) in the former and 25 cm (10 in) in the latter.[8]
Because of the natural whitewater habitats of these fish which makes natural observation of this fish difficult, most observations of the behavior of this fish is largely known from study of fish in aquaria. Natural history and reproduction of this fish are not well known.[2] When inactive, these fish often swim in a vertical posture, probably to help blend into stems of reeds and other aquatic plants; when active, they swim in a normal, horizontal manner.[13] They may use this camouflage either to hide from predators or as part of ambush predation. These fish feed on fish and crustaceans, and as adults are largely piscivorous.[3] Sorubim have been observed in captivity to excavate a small pit as a nest and even guarding freshly hatched young (unfortunately, none of these young survived).[3]
These fish are nocturnal and occur in groups or schools.[7][9]
S. lima has been in the aquarium trade for many years.[14] S. lima is the most common species found in the aquarium trade. S. elongatus also appears rather often, and is sold as S. lima.[2]
This fish is lazy and slow-moving; being nocturnal, it will usually hide during the day. This fish will accept most food, but it will also consume smaller inhabitants. It is hardy and the pH is not of great importance, but slightly acidic is best. This fish requires a large aquarium.[14] This fish prefers a current as well as clean water. It has not yet been bred in captivity.[15]