Kumakuma

Brachyplatystoma filamentosum

A giant catfish of the Amazon and Orinoco

Tropical
Southern Hemisphere
Regional distribution
South America
Elongated
Large
Tropical fish

Brachyplatystoma filamentosum, commonly called piraíba, kumakuma, valentón or laulau, and goliath catfish is a species of catfish in the family Pimelodidae which is native to the Amazon and Orinoco River basins, rivers of the Guianas and North-eastern Brazil. It is an important predator in its ecosystem, and in turn is a food fish.

Class: Teleosts
Order: Catfishes
Family: Pimelodidae
Genus: Brachyplatystoma
Maximum length: 360 cm
Body shape: elongated
Distribution: South America: Amazon and Orinoco River basins and major rivers of the Guianas and northeastern Brazil. Reported from Argentina (Ref. 9086 ).

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