The Jau is the second-largest catfish in the Amazon Basin after the Piraiba, or Lau Lau.
In River Monsters[]
Like the Piraiba, the Jau has also been blamed for killing people and sometimes even for swallowing men whole. It appears in several River Monsters episodes including "Amazon Flesh Eaters" and "Lair of Giants". It lives around deep, rocky pools. In "Lair of Giants," Wade caught a Jau that weighed around 90 pounds.
Description[]
The Jau, also known "Gilded Catfish", can often be around 70 to 90 pounds; however, very large individuals have reached around 200 pounds. It has been blamed for swallowing people whole, making it one of two Amazon catfish with this reputation. It is generally a muddy, brownish green.
Gallery[]
