Brachyplatystoma vaillantii explained

Brachyplatystoma vaillantii, the Laulao catfish, piramutaba or piramuta, is a species of catfish of the family Pimelodidae that is native to Amazon and Orinoco River basins and major rivers of the Guianas and northeastern Brazil.[1]

The fish is named in honor of François Levaillant (1753-1824) a French explorer, naturalist and zoological collector, who brought the type specimens to Europe.[2]

Description

It grows to a length of 150cm (60inches), though is more commonly 80cm (30inches). Dorsum dark to light grey or brown, no spots or stripes. Ventrum much paler to give striking counter shading.[3] It is the most basal species in the genus.[4], and the type species.

Distribution

It is a much widespread species that is found in rivers and estuaries of Amazon and Orinoco watersheds, Guianas and northeastern Brazil.

Ecology

It is found in both freshwater and brackish water systems. It is a demersal potamodromous fish commonly inhabits muddy waters and deeper, flowing channels. Developing young are carried downriver by the current,[5] ending up in estuaries. Juveniles and sub adults are migratory. It is entirely piscivorous preying on loricariids and other bottom-dwelling fish.[6]

Relation to humans

B. vaillantii is extremely important for local fisheries, often being the most caught fish by weight in Brazil,[7] with a peak recorded catch of 29 thousand tons in the 1970s. Afterwards, the piramutaba stocks had shown signs of depletion, and subsequent recovery.[8] [9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cat-eLog - Pimelodidae - Brachyplatystoma vaillantii . Planet Catfish. English. 2020-06-02.
  2. Web site: Order SILURIFORMES: Families HEPTAPTERIDAE, PHREATOBIIDAE, PIMELODIDAE and PSEUDOPIMELODIDAE . 2 November 2021 . Christopher Scharpf . Kenneth J. Lazara . amp . The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database . Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara . 22 September 2018.
  3. Web site: Brachyplatystoma aillantii (VALENCIENNES, 1840) - Piramuta . Seriously Fish. English. 2020-06-02.
  4. Brachyplatystoma capapretum: a New Species of Goliath Catfish from the Amazon Basin, with a Reclassification of Allied Catfishes (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae). Copeia. 2005. 492–516. 3. Lundberg. John G.. Akama, Alberto. 10.1643/CI-04-036R1. 2005. 85923139 . Buth. D..
  5. Rojas . María . Olivera . Robinson . Quispe . Roberto . Hernán . Ortega . Estudio preliminar de ictioplancton de la Amazonia peruana con énfasis en la familia Pimelodidae (Preliminary study of the Peruvian Amazon ichthyoplankton with emphasis on the Pimelodidae family) . Revista Peruana de Biología . July 2007 . 13 . 3 . 263–266 . Peru Biol. . 10.15381/rpb.v13i3.2354 . 10 November 2024.
  6. Web site: Lopes . Taise Miranda . da Câmara . Luís Fernando . Dufech . A. P. S. . Oral (Tema Livre) 4871 CARACTERIZAÇÃO DA DIETA DA PIRAMUTABA Brachyplatystoma vaillantii (SILURIFORMES: PIMELODIDAE), NO RIO MADEIRA, RONDÔNIA, BRASIL . researchgate . Neotropical Consultoria Ambiental.
  7. Araujo-Lima, C.A.R.M.; and M.L. Ruffino (2003). Migratory Fishes of the Brazilian Amazon. Pp. 233—302 in: Carolsfeld, J.; B. Harvey; C. Ross; and A. Baer (editors). Migratory Fishes of South America.
  8. Jimenez . Erica Antunez . Filho . Mutsuo Asano . Frédou . Flávia Lucena . FISH BYCATCH OF THE LAULAO CATFISH Brachyplatystoma vaillantii (VALENCIENNES, 1840) TRAWL FISHERY IN THE AMAZON ESTUARY . Brazillian Journal of Oceanography . June 2013 . 61 . 2 . 129–140 . 10.1590/S1679-87592013000200005 . 10 November 2024.
  9. Web site: Fishery and Aquaculture Country Profiles The Federative Republic of Brazil . fao.org . Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations . 10 November 2024.

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