Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Perciformes
- Family
- Pimelodidae
- Genus
- Megalonema
- Species
- platanum
Habitat
This species primarily inhabits large freshwater rivers and tributaries in South America, such as the Paraná River in Uruguay and areas near Carmelo. It prefers slow-moving waters with sandy or muddy substrates and abundant vegetation for cover. They are often found in warmer, tropical regions with varying water levels.
Diet
The Amarillo moncholo feeds mainly on insects, small crustaceans, and plant matter found in riverbeds. It forages nocturnally by probing the substrate with its barbels, and feeding intensity increases during the wet season when food sources are plentiful. This opportunistic feeder may also consume smaller fish or detritus.
Behavior
This fish is primarily nocturnal, hiding in vegetation or under rocks during the day and becoming active at night to forage. It is generally solitary but may form loose groups during migration or spawning. They exhibit territorial behavior around feeding and breeding areas, quickly retreating to cover when threatened.
Conservation Status
Listed as Not Evaluated by IUCN.