Order Siluriformes Scientific name Lophiosilurus alexandri Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Higher classification Lophiosilurus | |
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Genus LophiosilurusSteindachner, 1876 Similar Pseudopimelodidae, Brachyplatystoma juruense, Pimelodus ornatus, Pacuma toadfish, Hemibagrus wyckii | ||
Pakamon lophiosilurus alexandri eating a fish
Lophiosilurus alexandri is a species of catfish (order Siluriformes) of the family Pseudopimelodidae, and the only species of the monotypic genus Lophiosilurus.
Contents
- Pakamon lophiosilurus alexandri eating a fish
- Lophiosilurus alexandri
- Distribution and habitat
- Description and ecology
- Relationship to humans
- References
Lophiosilurus alexandri
Distribution and habitat
This fish originates from the São Francisco River in Brazil. Here, it is commonly known as pacamã. It prefers lentic habitats. This species has been introduced into the Doce River basin, but its effect on the native species has not been studied.
Description and ecology
This fish reaches 72 centimetres (28 in) TL and has a maximum published weight of 5,000 grams (11 lb). It has an extremely large mouth, earning it the name Pac-Man catfish.
L. alexandri is a sedentary species. This species has adhesive eggs and the male displays parental care.
L. alexandri represents an example of parallel evolution, sharing a similar morphology and lifestyle to species of the distantly related Chaca catfish.
Relationship to humans
L. alexandri has economic potential for aquaculture.
L. alexandri is a rarely imported aquarium fish. These fish require a sandy substrate and should not be maintained with fish that it can eat (a fish less than half of its size).