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Ian Fuller (1) Peru Aquarium Group (1) Yakov Oksman (2) Brian Perkins (1) Mark Henry Sabaj (4)

This species is well-represented in scientifc collections, but has commonly been mis-identified as A. vittatus. As with A. polystictus, A. lineatus, although not formally described at the time, was observed and illustrated by Alfred Russel Wallace during his mid-1800s expedition to the Negro River (Toledo-Piza, 2002: 291, fig. 114). Its status as an undescribed species was first recognised by Walsh (1990) and it was also previously documented from the Orinoco River basin (Royero, 1999). In 2014, large numbers of live specimens of this species were seen being prepared for shipment by a commercial exporter of ornamental fishes in Iquitos, Peru (S. J. Walsh pers. obs.). This and other small species of Ageneiosus are becoming increasingly popular in the aquarium trade (Ribeiro et al 2017). Description: Ageneiosus lineatus differs from its congeners, except A. magoi, A. pardalis and A. vittatus, by having prominent dark stripes on the sides of the body (v. uniform colour with irregular dark specks or blotches on sides of body). Ageneiosus lineatus differsfrom A. inermis, A. magoi, A. polystictus and A.vittatus by having a deeply forked caudal (v. caudal emarginate to truncate). Ageneiosus lineatus differs from A. apiaka, A. dentatus, A. ucayalensis and A. uranophthalmus by having a shorter anal fin (32–38 anal-?n rays v. 39–49). Ageneiosus lineatus differs from A. pardalis by havinga reduced and ossified gas bladder (v. large, non-ossified gas bladder) and by having epaxial musculature covering the tympanic region (v. tympanic region translucent, not concealed by epaxial musculature). Ageneiosus lineatus differs from A. inermis and A. ucayalensis by having fewer gill rakers on the first branchial arch (11–18, mode =13v. 18– 30, mode =22). Ageneiosus lineatus differs from A. militaris by having a longerpectoral fin spine (15·4–21·8v.10·5–14·6% LS) and longer pelvic fin (13·1–17·1v.9·6–13·6% LS). Sexual Differences: Males posses a genital papilla and when sexually mature have an enlarged and curved extension to the dorsal fin spine. They also grow thickened barbels to grasp the females with. These differences revert back to normal when not in season. Aquarium Care: As per this genera they will be fine as juveniles, but as they mature they become predatory so would need to be kept with fish that are not too small. A large tank would be needed with plenty of swimming space. Diet: Meat based. Etymology: The genus name Ageneiosus: beardless, pertaining to the very small maxillary barbels. The specifc epithet lineatus: lined or streaked. Remarks: This genus was previously placed in its own family of Ageneiosidae and you can still find some publications that still follow this line. In some online sources this species is still listed as A. vittatus or not listed at all (2021).

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Auchenipteridae

South America: Widely distributed throughout the Amazon and Orinoco River basins. Type Locality: Rio Negro, Rio Jaú, Novo Airã, Amazonas, Brazil.

16.0cm. (6¼ins)

23-26°c (73-79°f.)

6.5-7.2.

Ribeiro, Frank Rapp Py-Daniel, Lúcia Walsh, Stephen 2017/02/01. Taxonomic revision of the South American catfish genus Ageneiosus (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) with the description of four new species: taxonomic revision of ageneiosus 90 10.1111/jfb.13246 Journal of Fish Biology.
Sabaj, Mark Henry. Facebook report. 2021.