Gilded catfish
A large South American catfish found in the Amazon and Orinoco basins.
The gilded catfish is a large predatory fish native to major South American river systems. It belongs to the family Pimelodidae and is known for its size and nocturnal hunting habits.
- Reaches up to 140 cm in length and 50 kg in weight.
- Native to the Amazon and Orinoco river basins.
- Hunts other fish during nighttime hours.
- Becomes sexually mature at a weight of 10 kg.
- Belongs to the catfish family Pimelodidae.
What it is
This species is a substantial freshwater catfish belonging to the order Siluriformes and the family Pimelodidae. Adults can reach a total length of 140 centimetres, with individuals measuring 130 centimetres and weighing 50 kilograms being common occurrences. The fish exhibits a robust body shape typical of large river-dwelling predators.
Where it lives
The gilded catfish inhabits the Orinoco and Amazon river basins in South America. Within the Amazon system, it prefers the main channels of large tributaries characterized by muddy substrates. Juveniles often occupy nursery areas located at the mouths of rivers before moving upstream.
How it lives
These catfish are primarily piscivorous, meaning they feed on other fish. They hunt during the night and may enter flood-prone zones of rivers when water levels rise. Observations indicate migrations that follow prey species such as Triportheus and Anodus, suggesting a diet driven by available fish populations.
Breeding and life cycle
Maturity is determined by weight rather than age or length alone. Individuals become sexually capable once they attain a mass of 10 kilograms. Specific spawning seasons or egg characteristics are not detailed in the provided records.
Fish and people
As a large predatory fish, it holds potential interest for local fisheries. No cultural festivals or faith-based associations are mentioned.
Status and threats
The provided material does not contain information regarding conservation assessments, population trends, or specific threats such as overfishing or habitat loss.
Questions people ask about Gilded catfish
What is the maximum size of a gilded catfish?
Specimens can reach a total length of 140 centimetres. While smaller individuals exist, those measuring 130 centimetres and weighing 50 kilograms are considered common finds in their natural habitat.
Where does this fish live?
It is native to the Orinoco and Amazon basins in South America. In the Amazon, it prefers the main beds of large tributaries that feature muddy bottoms, often using river mouths as nursery grounds.
What does the gilded catfish eat?
This species is mainly piscivorous, meaning its diet consists primarily of other fish. It hunts at night and may migrate to follow prey species like Triportheus and Anodus through flood-prone areas.
When does it become an adult?
Sexual maturity is reached when the fish attains a weight of 10 kilograms. The exact age or length required to reach this weight varies among individuals.
Good reading and sources
- Gilded catfish on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Gilded catfish", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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