Astroblepus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Naked sucker-mouth catfish | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
| Species[1] | ||||||||||||||
|
A. boulengeri |
Astroblepus is a genus of catfish (order Siluriformes) which contains 54 species. It is the sole genus in the family Astroblepidae, the most species-rich family in which there is a single genus.[2] These fish are known as the naked sucker-mouth catfishes or the climbing catfishes.[2]
Contents |
[edit] Distribution and habitiat
These catfishes are found in torrential streams in the Andean area of South America and Panama.[2]
[edit] Description
Astroblepus catfishes are typically small, less than 15 centimetres (6 in).[3] The largest species reaches 30 cm (12 in).[2] These fish have a suckermouth like those of Loricariids. They have two pairs of barbels, maxillary and nasal. The dorsal fin spine lacks a locking mechanism.[2] These fish also have odontodes, tiny teeth on their skin. All species exhibit a conical, pointy type on their fin rays like that found in other Loricarioids; three species also exhibit a blunt type that is only found on their skin.[3]
[edit] Ecology
Some of these fish are able to live at up to 3500 m altitude and climb the faces of waterfalls.[2] Their climbing ability comes from specially developed pelvic fins as well as their suckermouth.[3] In their neotropical Andean habitat, dry and wet seasons are quite extreme, and odontodes may help in sensing food, mates, and water flow, as well as help cling to surfaces.[3] They feed upon invertebrates such as caterpillars, and annelids.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ Astroblepus (TSN 164384). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 05-04 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f Nelson, Joseph, S. (2006). Fishes of the World. John Wiley & Sons, Inc..
- ^ a b c d e Schaefer, Scott A.; Buitrago-Suárez, Uriel Angel (2002). "Odontode Morphology and Skin Surface Features of Andean Astroblepid Catfishes (Siluriformes, Astroblepidae)" (PDF). Journal of Morphology 254: 139. doi:.
