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Capaz catfish (Pimelodus grosskopfii) — Pimelodidae

Capaz catfish

Pimelodus grosskopfii
Family: Pimelodidae

The Capaz catfish (Pimelodus grosskopfii) is a freshwater fish of the family Pimelodidae that grows up to 38 cm.

Length
38 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Colombia, Venezuela

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Description

The capaz catfish is a long-whiskered catfish (Pimelodidae) from fresh water of the Magdalena basin in Colombia, South America. The species grows to about 38 cm and has an elongate, silver-grey body with long barbels and a deeply forked tail. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it migrates through rivers and searches for worms, crustaceans, insect larvae and small fish. It is an important food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Capaz catfish?

The Capaz catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Capaz catfish live?

The Capaz catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America: Colombia, Venezuela

How big does the Capaz catfish get?

The Capaz catfish grows to a maximum of about 38 cm.

Is the Capaz catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Capaz catfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Capaz catfish (Pimelodus grosskopfii) — Pimelodidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) juan_david_bf, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Capaz catfish (Pimelodus grosskopfii) — Pimelodidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Ictiologia Universidad Católica de Oriente (CC BY 2.0)
Capaz catfish (Pimelodus grosskopfii) — Pimelodidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Orlando Padilla, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Capaz catfish (Pimelodus grosskopfii) — Pimelodidae — 5
Eileen Westwig, NHM (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — NHMO
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Capaz catfish sourced
Scientific name
Pimelodus grosskopfii
Family
Pimelodidae
Other names
Capaz verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
38.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Colombia, Venezuela sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Pimelodus

More from the family Pimelodidae

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