Description:
Pseudobunocephalus is distinguished from all
other aspredinid genera by the following unique features:
mandibular teeth restricted to a patch near symphysis
of lower jaw; no contact between the metapterygoid
and quadrate; autopalatine posteriorly forked with
two separate cartilages; absence of the fourth pharyngobranchial;
absence of gill rakers on all branchial arches; and
lack of bifid hemal spines on vertebrae that articulate
with anal-fin pterygiophores. As defined Pseudobunocephalus
contain a new species, P. lundbergi from
the Orinoco River basin, along with five other species
previously assigned to the genus Bunocephalus:
P. amazonicus, P. bifidus, P.
iheringii,P. quadriradiatus, and P.
rugosus. Aquarium Care: Very
small species that can probably be kept as per other
members of this family with a quite tank with sand
and plants. Diet: Tablet foods and
small live foods. Entomology: The
generic name is a combination of the Greek word pseudes,
meaning false or deceptive, plus the aspredinid genus
Bunocephalus. It alludes to the fact that members
of this new genus have previously been mistaken for
juveniles of various species of Bunocephalus.
South America:Upper Amazon River basin of Peru.
Type locality:Peru: Samiria,
Chinguito [= Cocha Shinguita or Shirguita].
Size:
3.5cm. (1½ins)
Temp:
20-25°c (67-77°f.)
p.H.
6.0-7.2.
Reference:
Ferraris, C.J.
Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil
(Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform
primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628. Friel, J.P.
2008 Pseudobunocephalus, a new genus of banjo catfish
with the description of a new species from the Orinoco
River system of Colombia and Venezuela (Siluriformes:
Aspredinidae). Neotropical Ichthyology 6(3):293-300.
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