Genus: Brachyplatystoma, Long-Whisker Catfish

BRACHYPLATYSTOMA

LONG-WHISKER CATFISH

Body elongate, rounded; snout and head depressed; head with a bony shield; front and rear nostrils well separated, rear nostril without a flap along its front edge; eye small (~1/5 snout length), on upper side of head; 3 pairs of barbells, top barbells very long, reaching past tail; mouth at front or under snout; large patches of teeth on sides of roof of mouth; 1st dorsal fin large, with short base, 1st spine short, 2nd spine long and pungent, fin entirely before anal fin base; large skin flap 2nd dorsal fin present; anal fin base not longer than 2nd dorsal base; pectoral fin very low on side, with large, lockable spine; lateral line complete, not forked at end; no scales.

A genus of S American freshwater catfishes with ~8 species; two in brackishwater in the southern fringe of our area.