Category: Fish
The pictus catfish is native to the Amazon and Orinoco River Basins of South America and are commonly kept aquarium fish. Like other members of the Pimelodidae, pictus catfish have extremely long barbels to help them sense their surroundings and find food. They have sharp, mildly venomous spines on their dorsal and caudal fins, so caution must be used when handing them.
Undersea Conversations…
While it isn’t obvious, fish have ears, and are able to communicate to one another through sounds. They don’t have vocal chords, but instead vibrate their swim bladders, producing popping, grunting, moaning, barking, or chirping noises. While some species of fish, like the goldfish, are silent listeners, there are over 1000 species that are known to vocalize, and some, like the gurnard who are veritable chatterboxes. While we can’t have a conversation with them - at least not yet - it is theorized that they do it to attract mates, frighten away predators or competitors, to synchronize mating, call for help and warn others, or to orient themselves.
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Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
