Banded banjo
Platystacus cotylephorus
Where at Shedd?
Amazon Rising
| Diet | Aquatic insects, worms |
|---|---|
| Size | Up to 12.5 inches (32 cm) |
| Type | Fishes |
| Range | Northeastern South America |
| Habitat | Fresh and brackish waters |
About the Banded banjo
This member of the catfish family has the color and shape of leaves, which helps protect them when resting in the muddy rivers they inhabit.
Did you know?
With a flat, skillet-shaped body, this catfish hides under dead leaves during the day. At night, they scour the river bottom for food.
- Female catfish carry eggs on the underside of their bodies.
- This catfish species is often found in shallow turbid rivers with soft bottoms near river mouths.