Brachyplatystoma filamentosum, commonly called piraíba, kumakuma, valentón or lau lau, is a species of catfish of the family Pimelodidae and genus Brachyplatystoma that is native to Amazon and Orinoco River basins and rivers in the Guianas and northeastern Brazil.

The species is a demersal potamodromous fish that commonly inhabits deeper, flowing channels with soft bottoms.

The fish preyed upon include Achirus soles; characins from the genera Brycon, Colossoma, Hemiodus, Leporinus, Myleus, Mylossoma, Prochilodus, Schizodon, Semaprochilodus, Rhytiodus, Triportheus, along with indeterminate Curimatidae; catfish such as Ageneiosus, Calophysus vulture catfish, Hypophthalmus, Pareiodon candiru, Pimelodella, Pimelodus, Sorubim, and indeterminate members of the families Cetopsidae, Pimelodidae, and Trichomycteridae; Cichlids, Gymnotiformes, Pellona, and drums like Pachypops and Plagioscion.

In their larval stage, their diet consists mostly of insect remains and plankton, similar to other fish that are piscivorous as adults.

This water body serves as a central source for fisheries in South America, providing food for communities in the area.

Local fisheries are struggling due to overfishing, with records of decreasing catches being a primary indicator of their decline.

These catfish are migratory, meaning they are especially sensitive to dam construction and habitat degradation, which impede their ability to migrate throughout the waterways.

Piraiba, along with other predator fish, are also susceptible to mercury contamination; this, along with their role as an important food source, puts many local communities at risk.

The skin residue is high in fatty acids and proteins, and is a usable alternative for several products, including gelatin.