Scientific Name
Pimelodus blochii

Common Name
Bloch's catfish

Biology
Gregarious. Appears to be active either at night or during the day. Seeks shelter under dead wood and are 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).

Classification

Classified By

Valenciennes, 1840

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Long-whiskered catfishes (Pimelodidae)

Distribution

Region

South America

Distribution

South America: Gulf of Paria, Amazon, Corantijn, Essequibo, and Orinoco basins.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

20 °C

Water Temperature To

26 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; ; pH range: 6.0 - 7.5; dH range: 4 - 10 benthopelagic; catadromous (Ref. 51243)

Trophic Level

3.11 s.e. 0.43 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

35.0 cm

Common Length

20.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (28 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated