Trichomycterus rivulatus is a species of pencil catfish that is native to high-altitude Andean streams and lakes (including Junin, Poopó and Titicaca) in southern Peru, western Bolivia and northern Chile. It is the largest species in the genus Trichomycterus and grows to a maximum length of 37.4 centimetres (14.7 in) TL. The species is regularly caught as a food fish. However, because of pollution, studies have revealed levels of metals in T. rivulatus of Lake Titicaca that exceed the internationally recommended safety thresholds for human consumption.
