Tiger sorubim, Tiger catfish, Tiger-shovelnose
Pseudoplatystoma tigrinum
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudoplatystoma_tigrinum
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Tiger sorubim populations face severe pressure from overfishing throughout their range, as these large catfish are highly prized for their meat and can reach over 100 kg, making them prime targets for commercial and subsistence fisheries. Dam construction across the Amazon and Orinoco basins fragments their migration routes, preventing access to critical spawning grounds upstream. Habitat degradation from deforestation, mining, and agricultural runoff further compromises water quality in their river systems, while climate change alters seasonal flooding patterns essential for their reproductive cycle.
Habitat
Tiger sorubim inhabit large river systems throughout the Amazon and Orinoco basins, preferring deep channels and main river stems where they undertake extensive migrations between feeding and spawning areas. They occupy both whitewater and clearwater rivers, moving between different habitat types seasonally as water levels fluctuate.
Other threatened species in Pimelodidae
Threatened in Bolivia
Frequently asked questions
Why is Tiger sorubim, Tiger catfish, Tiger-shovelnose classified as Vulnerable?
Where does Tiger sorubim, Tiger catfish, Tiger-shovelnose live?
What are the main threats to Tiger sorubim, Tiger catfish, Tiger-shovelnose?
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