Barred Sorubim, also known as Barred Catfish, is a type of long-whiskered catfish found in the rivers of Suriname, Corantijn, and Essequibo.
They are active at night and mainly eat other fish and crabs. This fish can be found in riverbeds and sometimes in flooded forest areas.
Barred sorubim has a similar biology to the P. tigrinum species but prefers shady streams. They only search for food in riverbeds.
Their yellowish flesh is tasty, boneless, and used for human consumption.
Barred Sorubim Interesting Facts
- Barred sorubim is a type of long-whiskered catfish found in Suriname, Corantijn, and Essequibo.
- It feeds mainly on other fish and crabs at night and lives in riverbeds or flooded areas of forests.
- Females barred sorubim fish are larger than males, can grow up to 90 cm (35 inches), and mature at 56 cm (22 inches) length.
- Fecundity, or egg production, of barred sorubim was previously estimated at 8 million eggs per kg, but recent data suggest it’s more likely around 150000 eggs laid per kg.
Barred Sorubim Habitat
Barred sorubim catfish is found in South America, specifically in the Amazon, Corantijn, Essequibo, Orinoco, and Paraná River basins.
They live in freshwater environments and are found near the bottom of rivers. These fish are potamodromous, meaning they migrate within freshwater.
Barred sorubim catfish prefer a water pH range between 6.0 to 8.0, and a hardness (dH) range of 4 to 30.
Their dwell at a minimum depth range of about 5 meters underwater, but their maximum dwell depth is unknown.
They like water temperatures between 75°F to 82°F (24°C to 28°C), which are typical in tropical regions. Their habitat is located between 8°North and 11°South latitude.
| Water Temperature: | 75°F to 82°F (24°C to 28°C) |
| Water pH: | 6.0 to 8.0 pH |
| Water Hardness: | 4 to 30 dH |
Barred Sorubim Physical Characteristics
Size: 35 inches (90 centimeters)
Female barred sorubim fish grow larger than males. Females reach maturity when they are 22 inches (56 cm) long, while males mature at 18 inches (45 cm).
The maximum length for this species is 35 inches (90 cm) in standard length (SL), which measures the fish’s body without including the tail fin.
The maximum published weight for this species is 70 kg (154 lbs).
Barred Sorubim Reproduction
It’s estimated that barred sorubim fish can produce 8 million eggs per kg, but recent measurements in aquaculture found a more accurate number to be 150000 eggs per kg.
Barred Sorubim Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Pimelodidae |
| Genus: | Pseudoplatystoma |
| Scientific Name: | Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum |
| Also Known As: | Barred Sorubim, Barred Catfish |
| Conservation Status: | Unknown |