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Scleromystax salmacis Britto & Reis, 2005

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Scleromystax salmacis, has colouration similar to that of S. macropterus, differing from that species mainly by the absence of a black spot on the base of the median caudal-fin rays, and transverse blotches along the body more irregular than those in S. macropterus. In addition to differences in colouration and external and osteological characters, the new species differs from S. barbatus and S. prionotos by its more rounded snout. The new taxon is also distinguished from its congeners by the presence of a single perforated dorsolateral body plate, similar to the condition found in some Aspidoras species, orientation of the ventral keel of the scapulocoracoid, and by the absence of sexually dimorphic features. Lineage: All Scleromystax species belong to Lineage 3 and would remain as Scleromystax (Günther, 1864) with the designated type species of Scleromystax barbatus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824). As of the latest update (Dias et al 2024), Scleromystax salmacis has been placed in Lineage 3 and has retained the genus name of Scleromystax. Aquarium Care: As with most members of the Callichthyidae they are peaceful. The Scleromystax genera are good additions to "cool water" aquarium set ups with maybe other cool water fish such as White Cloud Mountain Minnows and other fish that are comfortable with a temperature around the 70°f (21.5°c) mark. Diet: As with other members of the Corydoradinae they relish tablet and good quality flake food with frozen bloodworm a firm favourite. They are also keen on chopped earthworms and other worm foods such as white worm used sparingly, and grindal worm. Etymology: The specific name salmacis: From the Greek Salmacis, named after the character of Ovid's tale, 'The fountain of Salmacis'. In allusion to its very subtle sexual dimorphism when compared to other Scleromystax species. Remarks: In this genus the males can be somewhat territorial when in breeding mode.

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

None

Family:

Callichthyidae

Distribution:

South America: Brazil, Santa Catarina, Praia Grande, arroio Molha Coco in Vila Rosa nearly 5.5 km northwest from Praia Grande.

Size:

Male: 5.5 cm (2¼ins) Female: 6.5cm (2¾ins)

Temp:

19-24°C (65-75°F)

p.H.

6.0-7.2.

Reference:

Alexandrou, Markos & Taylor, Martin. (2011). Evolution, ecology and taxonomy of the Corydoradinae revisited.
Angelica C Dias, Luiz F C Tencatt, Fabio F Roxo, Gabriel de Souza da Costa Silva, Sérgio A Santos, Marcelo R Britto, Martin I Taylor, Claudio Oliveira, Phylogenomic analyses in the complex Neotropical subfamily Corydoradinae (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) with a new classification based on morphological and molecular data, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2024;, zlae053.
Britto, M.R. and R.E. Reis, 2005. A new Scleromystax species (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) from coastal rivers of Southern Brazil. Neotrop. Ichthyol. 3(4):481-488.
Ian A. M. Fuller & Hans-Georg Evers (2011). Identifying Corydoradinae Catfish Supplement 1. Ian Fuller Enterprises.
www. corydorasworld.com

Family: Callichthyidae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails

Scleromystax salmacis

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