SCOTCAT.COM  

Ochoa LE., et al 2020 (1)

Astroblepids are closely related to the Loricariids, and in fact one genus of fish (Lithogenes Eigenman, 1909) seems intermediate between the two families, having the shape and form of an Astroblepid, but some plates on the body and other morphological characters closer to Loricariids. At the time of writing, Lithogenes is currently placed in Loricariidae. Description: Astroblepus itae is distinguished from other congeners by the following characters: maxillary wattle reaching close to the brachial opening; pelvic fin goes beyond the anus; pre-dorsal distance does not reach the adipose spine; pectoral fin with a single radius and 10 branching radius; pre-maxillary with three and a half rows of teeth, the outermost having 7-9 conic semi-curved teeth and a bicuspid tooth in the center of the row; inferior and superior lobules of caudal fin are equal; 25 free vertebrae, the fifth cerato-brachial bone with 6 teeth in the anterior region. Habitat: Fishes of the family Astroblepidae are found in freshwaters streams (between 200 to 13,400 feet above sea level) of the tropical Andes from Panama to Bolivia, and occur in both the western Pacific and eastern Amazonian slope drainage systems in South and Central America. Aquarium Care: Not an easy family of catfishes to keep so they would have to have a large tank with rocks and some appropriate vegetation. The water would need to be fast flowing and provided with extra oxygen via an air tube fed into the powerhead flow. The tank should be set up with rocks so as to provide an area where the water current will be slower. Diet: Invertebrates, insect larvae, spirulina tablets or paste, algae based foods and live bloodworm would probably be the staple diet but you may wish to try glassworm and blackworm (although these won’t tend to stay on the substrate unless the current takes them there). Etymology: The specific name itae: of ITA, a tribute to Instituto Técnico Agrícola, Cáchira, Norte de Santander, Colombia, in existence for 55 years (2011).

None

None

Astroblepidae

South America: Colombia. Type locality: Departamento de norte de Santander, Municipio de Cáchira, Quebrada La Amoladera, Vereda Ramírez, affluenta de la parte alta del río Cáchira, elevation 2035 metres.

6.5cm (2½ins)

15-20°c (57-67°f.)