Cat-eLog Right Pimelodidae Right Platynematichthys  |  | 

Down Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Platynematichthys notatus  (Jardine, 1841)
Common Names Lince Catfish
Capaz (Colombian), Cara De Gato (Brazilian), Coroatá (Brazilian), Gepunkteter Störwels (Germany), Plettet Bredstrålemalle (Denmark), Rabo Chino (Venezuelan)
Type Locality Fort St. Joaquin on Rio Branco, Amazon River, Rio Negro.
Synonym(s) Bagrus nigropunctatus, Bagrus punctulatus, Pimelodus notatus, Platynematichthys punctulatus, Platypogon caerulorostris, Rhamdella notata
Pronunciation no tatt uss
Etymology (Greek)Platys=Broad + (Greek)nema=filament + (Greek)ichthys=fish. The specific name, notatus, means spotted.
Down Species Information
Size 800mm or 31.5" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification Only large pimelodid with numerous spots but no stripes. Large flat barbels. A large black spot is present on the lower caudal lobe. Possibly more than one valid species is currently classified as P. notatus given the reported differences in colouration, habitat, and adult size.
Sexing Unknown.
General Remarks Specimens from the Amazon are reported to reach 50 cm while specimens from the Orinoco are reported to reach one meter. Given the greatly varying reported adult sizes, aquarists wishing to acquire this fish should take great care and assume the fish could reach one meter in length.
Down Habitat Information
Distribution South America: Amazon and Orinoco River basins.
Amazon (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Orinoco (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020.
pH 5.6 - 7.4
Temperature 24.0-28.0°C or 75.2-82.4°F (Show species within this range)
Down Husbandry Information
Furniture A sand substrate with stones and driftwood arranged to provide hiding places.
Compatibility Any fishes that require similar aquarium conditions and are too large to be eaten.
Suggested Tankmates Large pimelodids, loricariids and doradids.
Breeding Unreported.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Down Further Information
Reference The Natural history of fishes of Guiana, pp 181, Pl. 7.
Registered Keepers There are 12 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
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There are 9 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2020 Sep 19 02:09 (species record created: 2001 Nov 14 00:00)