Genus Brachyplatystoma
Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii - Michael Goulding
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Species
- Brachyplatystoma capapretum
- Brachyplatystoma filamentosum
- Brachyplatystoma juruense
- Brachyplatystoma platynemum
- Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii
- Brachyplatystoma tigrinum
- Brachyplatystoma vaillantii
Common names
- Bolivia: (Common names not yet available)
- Brazil: Dourada, Dourado
- Colombia: Plateado, Dorado
- Ecuador: (Common names not yet available)
- Peru: Dorada, Dorado
Summary
Group of large migratory catfishes of commercial importance in the Amazon, represented mainly by species of the genus Brachyplatystoma. They are piscivorous fishes that undertake some of the most extensive freshwater migrations known worldwide. Because of their size, commercial value and wide distribution, they constitute one of the most relevant fishery resources of the Amazon basin.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Teleostei
- Order: Siluriformes
- Family: Pimelodidae
- Genus: Brachyplatystoma
- Taxon category: Genus
Distribution
Species grouped as Dorado are widely distributed throughout the Amazon basin and undertake long-distance migrations of more than 1,000 km, connecting Andean zones, piedmonts and Amazonian plains. Catches are concentrated mainly in the western and central Amazon, forming part of the main migratory fisheries of the region.
Threat status
(Insufficient data)
Reproduction
Spawning occurs during the rising-water period. The species undertake long-distance reproductive migrations associated with the Amazonian hydrological cycle.
Feeding
They are piscivorous fishes that feed mainly on other fishes.
Habitat
They inhabit large Amazonian rivers and use different environments of the basin during their life cycle, including breeding areas in upper zones and growth areas in lower sectors of the basin.
Uses, management and conservation
Dorado is one of the most valuable fishery resources of the Amazon. Its marketing has regional and international reach and forms part of the main Amazonian fishery chains. Because of its extensive migrations and dependence on multiple connected countries and ecosystems, its management requires conservation and governance approaches at the basin scale.
References
(Not available)