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.
[6] Unrecognized species of Pseudoplatystoma have been included under the names P. fasciatum and P. tigrinum for decades.
[7] The currently recognized species in this genus include:[2][8] The distribution of Pseudoplatystoma species includes the great river basins of South America: the Amazon, Orinoco, Paraná, São Francisco, Magdalena, Rupununi, Essequibo, and Suriname Rivers.
P. tigrinum is found in the Amazon River in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
P. corruscans originates from the Paraná and São Francisco Rivers in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
P. reticulatum inhabits the central Amazon and Paraná Rivers in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
[2] Pseudoplatystoma species live in a diverse range of habitats, such as great rivers, lakes, side channels, floating meadows, and flooded forests.
[4] P. tigrinum occurs in estuarine zones, mainly upstream of the first rapids up to the basin's headwaters.
They are also recognized due to a depressed head, an occipital process extending backward to contact the predorsal plate, and a very long fontanel.
P. fasciatum has 10–11 dark vertical bars that are relatively wider than other species of the Amazon, with fewer white vertical bars than dark ones; the pectoral fins and pelvic fins are darker with few or no spots; and the skull is at least one-sixth narrower than other species.
[2] P. tigrinum is distinguished by the presence of loop–like bands connecting to, or extending to, the dorsal region and continuing onto other side of body; loop–like bars form cells.
[2] P. corruscans has a body covered by large spots in six to eight rows with four to 13 pale vertical bars.
[2] P. orinocoense has straight, vertical bars on its body, longer than those of P. faciatum and P. punctifer, that extend to or connect dorsally.
Its dark, loop–like bars join those in the dorsal region of the body forming distinct cells.
The greatest reproductive activity, the highest rate of development of gonads, and the most energy spent in migration happens when rainfall occurs.
[5] Pseudoplatystoma species are of considerable economic value; all are sold in fish markets throughout South America.
[4] P. tigrinum is the most important catfish in gill-net fisheries of Guaporé and Marmoré Rivers.
[7] In the Argentine province of Entre Ríos alone, about 27,000 tonnes of Pseudoplatystoma species are harvested every year, comprising 70 to 80% of the total capture there, mostly concentrated on the fishing area near the city of Victoria, opposite Rosario, Santa Fe.
[citation needed] The capture of P. corruscans has declined greatly due to changes in their environment.
Spawning of this fish can be induced with hormones, with a high potential for commercial production.
However, their large adult size is problematic for both matters of housing and finding suitable tankmates that will not be consumed.