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Pseudoplatystoma
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<p><i>Pseudoplatystoma</i> is a <a href="/facts/Genus/m8EFjSms">genus</a> of several <a href="/facts/South_America/PhrFEMk7">South American</a> <a href="/facts/Catfish/SHrSxpuH">catfish</a> species of <a href="/facts/Family_(biology)/qTrn6E8E">family</a> <a href="/facts/Pimelodidae/dbLPBxQj">Pimelodidae</a>. The species are known by a number of different <a href="/facts/Common_name/3KNNezEU">common names</a>. 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, <a href="/facts/Freshwater_swamp_forest/ekzcNcjx">flooded forests</a>, and other freshwater habitats. They have robust bodies, and are important food fish. Recently, their population size has been on the drastic decline due to a variety of factors including overfishing and <a href="/facts/Habitat_destruction/pyPMkBCY">habitat destruction</a> due to the construction of hydroelectric dams. </p>