Catfish, redtail (pirarara) Phractocephalus hemioliopterus

Bloch, Schneider, 1801

PIMELODIDAE FAMILY
Also called bigoril, pirarara, guacamayo, pez torre, peixe-arara

The pirarara or redtail catfish is one of the most colorful of the large catfishes found in the Amazon and Orinoco basins. In its natural habitat, the redtail catfish is found in larger rivers, streams and lakes. During high water, it ventures into the flooded forests.

The pirarara is a very distinctive species. The brownish back, yellow sides and red-orange dorsal and caudal fins make this catfish very recognizable. Three pairs of barbels are present, one pair on the upper and two pairs on the lower jaw.

The redtail catfish is omnivorous in its feeding habits with a diet that can include fish, crabs and fruits. This species, which grows in excess of 4 ft (121 cm) and 100 lb (45 kg) is considered to be the one of the best fighting of the catfishes with strong and determined runs. Pirarara are most often caught with natural baits and pose a challenge to anglers using artificial lures or flies.

It is used as a food fish throughout its range and is said to be excellent, if somewhat dark meat

Sorubim Pseudoplatystoma spp

Spix & Agassiz 1829; also called spotted sorubim; also called sorubí, surubim; / Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum Linnaeus 1766; also called barred sorubim, surubim, pintado, rayado, zungaro doncella, surubim-lenha, pintadillo; / Pseudoplatystoma tigrinum Valenciennes 1840; also called tiger sorubim, caparari, tigre zúngaro, bagre tigre; 

PIMELODIDAE FAMILY


Sorubim are large catfish found in South America in the Amazon Basin, Sao Francisco, and Paraná river systems. They inhabit river channels, floodplains and larger rainforest streams in both running and still water. They are found under lily pads and water plants of floating islands and at large river outlets, marsh and lagoon mouths

As the name suggests, spotted sorubim have varying patterns of black spots. In barred sorubim, there are vertical to slightly oblique black stripes, often with spots, which are thicker on the ventral side. There is great variation in the patterns of stripes and spots and can be confused easily with the tiger sorubim, which also has vertical to oblique stripes, although the stripes and head of the barred sorubim are narrower.

Unlike many Amazon catfish, sorubim aggressively strike trolled or cast spoons and plugs intended for peacock bass, and then take off at high speeds for heavy cover. Because they run for cover where they can be easily broken off, medium to heavy tackle is most often used. For natural baits, anglers use live or dead fish, whole or in chunks depending on the size fish sought. Although they can be caught during the day, fishing for these shovelnose catfish is more productive at night when they mainly feed.

The sorubim are much appreciated for both their strength and the white flesh, which rates them, as some of the best catfish for the table