They are omnivores, eating just about anything on the bottom. They have have a strong preference for algae and carry the common trade name of algae eating catfish. They will however eat bloodworms and other bottom invertebrates. They actually are good eating from what I have heard. In Central and South America where they are native, they are cooked whole and "cracked" open where the meat is taken out. They have a very hard outside "shell".
