Black spotted catfish (Pimelodus clarias) is found in most of the mainland of tropical South America from Panama south to Argentina. This is a popular aquarium fish with its larger black spots and long forward ponting antennae. Although this can reach 12 inches in length, most aquarium specimens are much smaller. The pattern and size of spots is very variable depending upon the origin of the specimen.

The naked or antennae catfish (Family Pimelodidae) are found widely in the New World tropics and sub-tropics. These catfish have very long thin barbells, and they lack scales and they lack body armour. However, they have a very sharp strong spine on the dorsal fin. The tailfin is usually forked. The following genera belong here: Callophysus, Duopalatinus, Gouldiella, Heptapterus, Microglanis, Phractocephalus, Pimelodella, Pimelodus, Pinirampus, Platystomatichthys, Pseudopimelodus, Pseudoplatystoma, Sciades, and Sorubim.

Catfish, Order Siluriformes, are found throughout the world. Although most of them are freshwater kinds, a few are found in a marine environment. They are characterized by having whiskers and barbels around their mouths. Many search for their food by smell and make little use of their small eyes.

Bony fish, Class Teleostomi, are a class of chordates that include the majority of fish-like animals found on earth. They are characterized by a bony jaw and a bony skeleton. They are found in both fresh and marine waters.

Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.

Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.

Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

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