Pimelodidae

Pimelodidae is a family of freshwater catfishes within the order Siluriformes, commonly known as the long-whiskered or long-barbel catfishes. The group is primarily Neotropical, with most species native to tropical river systems in South America, and smaller numbers occurring in Central American drainages and adjacent areas. Members of Pimelodidae are diverse in size and form, but many are distinguished by notably long paired barbels and a generally elongated body shape.

Distribution and habitat vary widely across the family, but Pimelodidae is most diverse in major South American river basins such as the Amazon, Orinoco, and Paraná systems. They inhabit a range of freshwater habitats, including fast and slow rivers, floodplains, lakes, and sometimes estuarine environments. Many species undertake seasonal movements related to the flood cycle and spawning, and they are typically associated with benthic or mid-water zones where they hunt.

Ecology and biology are characterized by nocturnal or crepuscular activity and largely carnivorous or omnivorous diets, feeding on fish, invertebrates, and detritus depending on species and availability. Reproduction varies among genera but often involves migrations during flood pulses and the laying of eggs in flooded margins or shallow habitats. Growth rates and lifespans are species-dependent, with some Pimelodidae reaching substantial sizes, including large migratory forms.

Systematics within Pimelodidae have evolved with taxonomic revisions and molecular studies, and the circumscription of genera has shifted over time. Notable genera include Pimelodus, Pseudoplatystoma, Brachyplatystoma, Zungaro, and Pinirampus, among others. The family is subject to ongoing research, with efforts to clarify species boundaries, relationships, and classifications.

Human interactions include local and commercial fisheries where Pimelodidae species are consumed as food, and some are valued in recreational fishing. Habitat loss, river damming, pollution, and overfishing threaten populations in parts of their range, prompting conservation concerns and the need for habitat management and sustainable fishing practices.