The tiger shovelnose catfish is a genus of several South American catfish species of family Pimelodidae. The species are known by a number of different common names. They typically inhabit major rivers where they prefer the main channels and tend to stay at maximum depth, but some species can also be seen in lakes, flooded forests and other freshwater habitats. They have robust bodies, and are important food fish.

 

These fish are nocturnal hunters. They are primarily piscivorous, feeding on fish such as electric knifefishes, cichlids, loricariids, and characins. They may consume on other fish and are Opportunistic feeders, they may also feed on crustaceans such as crabs or shrimps.