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Mark Henry Sabaj (1)

Description: Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6; Anal soft rays: 12 - 15. This species differs from other species of Hassar by its relatively narrow interorbital and long snout, interorbital width 32.2-44.7% distance from snout tip to anterior naris (vs. 45.0-89.4%). It is most similar to H. orestis, but it can be further separated from that species by having gas bladder with few, weakly developed peripheral diverticula restricted to anterolateral shoulder and posterolateral face of anterior chamber, and sometimes anterolateral face of posterior chamber (vs. well developed diverticula with multiple branches and grouped into fascicles encircling horizontal periphery of gas bladder in H. orestis), and posterior face of gas bladder smooth, broadly to narrowly rounded (vs. posterior chambers expanded posteriorly into medially conjoined ternimal diverticula, effecting acutely subtriangular, cone-shaped posterior face). This species also differs from H. affinis and H. gabiru by its snout, distance snout tip to anterior naris 9.5-12% SL (vs. 6.9-9.7% SL), interorbital width 3.4-4.8% SL and 9.8-14.7% HL (5.9-8.0% SL and 17.3-24.3% HL), and caudal peduncle depth 4.8-5.6% SL (vs. 6.6-8.0% SL). It is diagnosed from all congeners except H. orestis by the distal half of soft dorsal fin consisting of distinct dark subtriangular blotch not extending to distal margin, pale margin complete, its width approaching that of blotch (vs. distal half of soft dorsal dfn dusky to margin in H. affinis; or with dark blotch leaving narrow pale distal margin, width less than half that of dark blotch, in H. gabiru, H. wilderi and sometimes H. orestis). Aquarium Care: For a large species it is non aggressive and can be kept with smaller species such as small characins, dwarf cichlids, small labyrinth species and also other small catfish such as Corydoras and the smaller members of the Loracariids. Provide a soft substrate such as fine sand as they like to sift through this for edibles and a sharp substrate could cause damage to its fine feathered barbels. Lone individuals will not do well in an aquarium setup so a group of three or more will be more beneficial to the long term health of this species. A planted aquarium is a must as they like to hide in the roots more so than having a rock or wood setup. Diet: Tablet foods, small live and frozen foods such as worms and Daphnia. Etymology: The specific name shewellkeimi: Named for Mr. Shewell 'Bud' DeBenneville Keim, a nephew of Henry W. Fowler, who was the first full-time curator of fishes at the Academy of Natural Sciences from 1902-1965, for his generous support to Academy ichthyology, including the preservation of Fowler's legacy and the stewardships of his uncle's fishes.

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Doradidae

South America: Rio Teles Pires and one or more sites in the upper Rio Juruena in Brazil.

22.0cm. (8¼ins)

22-25°C (71-77°F)

6.0-7.5.

Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2018. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 06/2018 ).
Sabaj Pérez, M.H. and J.L.O. Birindelli, 2013. Hassar shewellkeimi, a new species of thorny catfish (Siluriformes: Doradidae) from the upper Tapajós basin, Brazil. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 162:133-156.