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Pimelodella australis Eigenmann, 1917

Image contributors to this species:

Gabriela Eguren Iriarte (1) Felipe Cantera (2) Allan James (2) Peter Petersen (1)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

This genus has been in confusion for a good number of years now especially with another close member of the Pimelodidae family, Pimelodus. These notes are the following distinguishing characteristics from the two genus. Pimelodella: Adipose fin long, low with a curved margin. The humeral process is long and spiky. Body usually plain with a dark lateral stripe; rather depressed body. Pimelodus: Adipose fin short, high, with a straight or sloping margin. Humeral process broad, triangular. Body variously patterned, usually quite deep, like Synodontis. Aquarium Care: Treat as you would do with any member of the Pimelodus in that they will be predatory on small fishes in the aquarium and it is also better to keep them in small groups rather than singularly, as this will dilute the aggression. Diet: Will eat any aquarium prepared foods such as tablets, pellets, frozen and live foods. Not fussy eaters. Etymology: The specific name australis: Latin for southern, described as a southern subspecies of P. laticeps.

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

Pimelodella laticeps australis, Pimelodella garbei

Family:

Heptapteridae

Distribution:

South America: Uruguay River basin, and coastal river drainages from Tubarão River in Santa Catarina to coastal lagoons of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Type locality: Uruguayana [State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil].

Size:

10.5cm. (4¼ins)

Temp:

23-26°C (73-79°F)

p.H.

6.0-7.0.

IUCN Red List

Pimelodella australis occurs in the Uruguay River basin, Patos Lagoon, and coastal rivers of the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, Brazil. It is a frequent and abundant species. It inhabits slow-moving waters, occurring in lagoons, their channels, and some stretches of slow-flowing rivers. As there is no measurable evidence of threats to the species, it has been categorised as Least Concern (LC), (IUCN 2022).

Reference:

Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2011. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version.
Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio). 2022. Pimelodella australis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022.

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

Pimelodella australis
Arroyo del Tala, Departamento de Salto, Uruguay

Pimelodella australis
Rio Negro basin, Uruguay

Pimelodella australis

Pimelodella australis
Head view

Pimelodella australis
Rio Yi, Durazno Region, Uruguay

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