Gilded catfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gilded catfish |
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Zungaro
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zungaro
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The gilded catfish, also known as the jau or manguruyu, is a very large catfish found in South America. Its scientific name is Zungaro zungaro. This fish is part of the Pimelodidae family, which includes many types of catfish. It gets its name "gilded" because of its shiny, often golden-brown color.
Contents
Understanding the Gilded Catfish's Family Tree
Scientists group living things into categories like species and genus to understand how they are related. The gilded catfish is the main species in its genus, Zungaro.
Different Names for the Gilded Catfish
Sometimes, scientists might call this fish by other names, like Brachyplatystoma flavicans. This happens when different researchers study the same animal. The gilded catfish also has two main types, called subspecies: Z. z. mangurus and Z. z. zungaro.
Where Gilded Catfish Live
Gilded catfish are native to the big rivers of South America. You can find them in the Orinoco and Amazon basins. They especially like the main parts of large rivers that have muddy bottoms.
Their River Home
These fish prefer to live in the deeper, main channels of these huge rivers. They are often found quite far upstream in the Amazon. Their home is usually where the river flows slowly and has plenty of mud.
What Gilded Catfish Look Like and Do
The gilded catfish is a truly impressive fish. It can grow up to 140 cm (55 in) long, which is about 4.5 feet! It's not unusual to find ones that are 130 cm (51 in) long and weigh 50 kg (110 lb), which is like a small person!
What They Eat and How They Hunt
These big fish are mainly fish-eaters. They hunt for their food at night. Sometimes, they even swim into areas of the river that have flooded. They have been known to follow other fish, like Triportheus and Anodus, when those fish migrate.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Gilded catfish become ready to have babies when they weigh about 10 kg (22 lb). The young fish, or "nursery grounds," are found near the mouths of rivers. This is where the baby fish grow up safely.
See also
In Spanish: Zungaro zungaro para niños
