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Pimelodus blochii Valenciennes, 1840 Bloch's catfish |
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photo by
Castro-Lima, F. |
| Family: | Pimelodidae (Long-whiskered catfishes) | |||
| Max. size: | 35 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish; pH range: 6 - 7.5; dH range: 4 - 10 | |||
| Distribution: | South America: Gulf of Paria, Amazon, Corantijn, Essequibo, and Orinoco basins. | |||
| Diagnosis: | ||||
| Biology: | Gregarious. Appears to be active either at night or during the day. Seeks shelter under dead wood and is capable of intestinal breathing (Ref. 35381). Commonly occurs in the lower reaches of large rivers. Known to feed on fruits, thus helping to scatter several plant seeds. Also feeds on small fishes and insects and often manifests the behavior of a detritivore (Ref. 27188). Probably migrate upstream during reproduction. The female lays an average of 50,000 eggs which are fertilized externally (Ref. 35381). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 27 December 2020 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||
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