Pimelodus

Pimelodus or Flathead catfish are representatives of the vast family Pimelodidae (Pimelodidae) that inhabit the river systems of South and Central America

Most of the species are among the largest fish kept in aquariums. Some of them reach a length of more than two meters. In their habitats, they serve as an important commercial fish for the local population, as well as an object of sport fishing. They often become the heroes of many popular science programs, in particular on the Discovery Channel and National Geographic channels, where, due to their size, they are represented by huge freshwater monsters.

Despite such a formidable performance and a predatory lifestyle, this is a completely peaceful and non-aggressive catfish, which, in other matters, will eat any fish that can fit in its mouth.

Pimelodus are similar to each other due to their characteristic feature – a flat head and a long mustache that reaches the length of the body. But at the same time, juveniles and adults are very different in color and sometimes they are mistaken for different species. The latter often leads to situations where young catfish are sold as a different species. The aquarist who bought them in the future is faced with the fact that, as he thought, his little fish does not stop growing and along the way eats his neighbors in the aquarium. A similar phenomenon is common when exporters buy fish not from commercial hatcheries, but from local residents who catch juveniles in the wild. Flathead catfish do not breed well in the artificial environment, so constant catch from rivers is inevitable.

These representatives of catfish are rarely found in amateur aquariums in Europe and Asia, but are relatively widespread near their natural habitat – in the countries of both Americas. The maintenance of such large fish, with a few exceptions, is associated with high costs associated with the installation of a huge aquarium, the total weight of which sometimes reaches several tons, and its further maintenance.