Objective. To describe morphologically and morphometrically the encephalon of Ariopsis seemanni. Materials and methods. We worked with 10 juvenile specimens which were processed according to the ethical standards for handling fish. Measurements of the total and standard length (cm) and weight (g) were taken for each individual. Specimens were fixed in 4% formaldehyde. The encephalon was removed, the different regions were identified and the measurement of the different lobes was done, indicating their location, morphology, length and area using lateral, dorsal and ventral digitalized images that were measured with the Scion Image program. We calculated means and standard deviations, and obtained the percentage equivalence of each structure in relation to the entire encephalon. These data were then related to the habits of the species. Results. We identified the olfactory bulbs, telencephalic hemispheres, optic lobes, cerebellum, among others. Of the cranial nerves, only the optic nerve was observed. The largest structure of the encephalon is the cerebellum (44 ± 1.2% and 0.23 ± 0.03 cm² area), followed by the telencephalic hemispheres (28 ± 0.57% and 0.13 ± 0.02 cm² area). Conclusions. The encephalon morphology of A. seemanni presented the general pattern of teleosts of the order Siluriformes, with the cerebellum as the largest structure of the encephalon. Based on the morphology and morphometry observed in the encephalon, we suggest that A. seemanni uses primarily vision and taste to explore the environment.

Key words: teleost, cerebral morphology, sensory sensitivity, neuroecolgy, Ariopsis seemanni.