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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Subtropical

Kumakuma

Brachyplatystoma filamentosum Lichtenstein, 1819
Max Length
360 cm
Max Weight
200.0 kg
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4.5
Depth
-
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
87.00/100
Typical Length
120 cm
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Juveniles and subadults may be found in brackish water of river mouths. Found on soft bottoms . Feeds on fish . Stomach contents are said to include parts of monkeys. In parts of the Amazon, this catfish occasionally makes prey of a man . Flesh considered excellent quality . Captured using nets and longlines . Threatened due to over harvesting .

Scientific Name
Brachyplatystoma filamentosum
Authority
Lichtenstein, 1819
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
360 cm
Max Weight
200 kg
Trophic Level
4.5
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
87.00/100
Migration
Potamodromous

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Kumakuma is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Kumakuma is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Kumakuma is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; brackish; demersal; potamodromous . Subtropical South America: Amazon and Orinoco River basins and major rivers of the Guianas and northeastern Brazil.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater 🌿 Brackish ⬇️ Benthic
Migration
Potamodromous
Trophic Level
4.5±0.79
Food Items

fish (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00912 × L3.12 (TL)
Max TL
360cm
Max Weight
200,000g

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2020

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Very low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
87.00/100
Very High vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.5
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Lichtenstein, 1819

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Kumakuma is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Kumakuma is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Kumakuma has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Brachyplatystoma goeldii Eigenmann & Bean 1907 Synonym
Pimelodes filamentosus Lichtenstein 1819 Synonym
Pimelodus filamentosus Lichtenstein 1819 Synonym
Piratinga piraaiba Goeldi 1898 Synonym
Platystoma affine Valenciennes 1840 Synonym
Platystoma gigas Günther 1872 Synonym
Sorubimichthys gigas Günther 1872 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 15 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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