| Los Amigos del Pilcomayo |
Sorubim lima
In co-operation with department of Aquatic Ecology & Environmental Biology.
Fishes of the Pilcomayo
Common name: Cucharón (AR) Bagre cuchara (BO) Picopato (PA)
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Siluriformes (catfish)
Family: Pimelodidae (Long-whiskered catfishes)
Ecology: carnivorous
Max. Size: 47cm
Photos by: Max van de Ven
Species
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| Source: translated from 100 Peces argentinos; Hernán Laita y Gustavo Aparicio; Editorial Albatros; 2005; ISBN 950-24-1012-2 Sorubim lima The cucharero or cucharra (spoon) is similar to a bagre of medium size, although with enough particular customs and an unmistakable silhouette. Although it inhabits almost all the rivers of La Plata system, it is not an abundant species; it prefers shallow waters, where it remains during the day in an almost vertical position, with its head pointing to the bottom. This behaviour, added to its livery that combines vertical lines that "cut" its silhouette, allows him to be inadvertent between the trunks and plants its merges in the banks. It presents the inferior lobe of the caudal fin bigger than the superior, which is probably related to the curious posture that assumes. It feeds mainly at night, in search for small fish, like mojarras and other organisms that it captures with its spoon shaped mouth that has also earned him the name "picopato". Its stylized form, beautiful coloration and curious customs make it one of the favourite fishes of the aquarists. Regrettably, their rarity and vulnerable restitution, makes us recommend not to acquire it. |
| Source: translated from: Peces de los Ríos Bermejo, Juramento y Cuencas Endorreicas de la Provincia Salta; Gladys Monasterio de Gonzo; Museo de Ciencias Naturales y Consejo de Investigación Universidad Nacional de Salta; Octubre 2003. Sorubim lima (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) Common name: Bagre cuchara (tablespoon Bagre). Identification: Low and lengthened body. Itsr maximum height fits approximately six and a half times its standard length. Very depressed, wide head and of almost square contour. It owes its commen name to the great projection of the superior jaw. The longitude of the post-occipital process is approximately the same as the longitude of the predorsal badge. Dorsal fin is short. The fatty fin is short and lightly high. Anal fin is long. Cut caudal fin presents sharp lobes of different sizes. Color: Brown grizzly, with the silver stomach. A black band runs for half of the flank from the opérculum to the base of the caudal fin. Dimensions: Up to 470 mm. |