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Aspidoras mephisto Tencatt, Bichuette 2017 |
Image contributors to this species: |
Danté Fenolio (1) |
ScotCat Sources: |
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Other Sources: |
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Relevant Information: |
Habitat: Aspidoras mephisto is described from the Anésio III and Russão II cave system, upper Tocantins River basin, Goiás, Brazil. Description: The species can be readily distinguished from its congeners by troglomorphic features and also by presenting the following combination of features: infraorbital 1 generally with well-developed ventral laminar; or moderately developed; poorly-developed serrations on posterior margin of pectoral spine; nuchal plate not externally visible; dorsal fin, even in conspicuously coloured specimens, with only dark brown or black chromatophores concentrated on rays, forming spots in some specimens; membranes hyaline; or sparse dark brown or black chromatophores on membranes, not forming any conspicuous pattern; and inner laminar expansion of infraorbital 1 moderately developed. This newly discovered species (2017) lives in caves making it the first cave dwelling member of the Corydoradinae found. Aspidoras posses a duel fontanel bone structure in the skull whereas Corydoras have only the one larger fontanel. Lineage: All Aspidoras belong to Lineage 2 with the exception of A. pauciradiatus which will prove to be a Corydoras and if a revision is carried out will be Gastrodermus (Cope, 1878) and a member of Lineage 5 alongside members of the "elegans group". Aquarium Care: Best kept in groups of six or more and are best housed with small fishes that are not aggressive. Although no plants occur in their habitat you can still provide a planted area in the tank for cover and include a soft substrate such as sand or small rounded gravel with coral sand added if in a soft water area. This species if ever exported would need a very dimly lit aquarium to prosper. Diet: Flake, tablet foods, small live and frozen foods. Remarks: As this species lives in a cave system which is formed by limestone rock a higher pH above neutral would be best. |
Common Name: |
None |
Synonyms: |
None |
Family: |
Callichthyidae |
Distribution: |
South America: Brazil, known only from the Anésio-Russão cave system (Anésio III and Russão II caves), part of the upper rio Tocantins basin. |
Size: |
Male: 5.0cm (2ins) Female: 5.5cm (2¼ins) |
Temp: |
22-25°C (71-77°F) |
p.H. |
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7.0-7.5. |
Reference: |
Alexandrou, Markos
& Taylor, Martin. (2011). Evolution,
ecology and taxonomy of the Corydoradinae revisited.
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Family: Callichthyidae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails |
 Aspidoras
mephisto From the Anésio III cave, Posse, Goiás, Brazil |
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