Description:Distinguished from all other species of Hisonotus,
except Hisonotus
notatus and Hisonotus
leucofrenatus, by having
anterior margin of the snout completely covered by
odontodes vs. with a narrow or wide odontode-free;
large plates in the abdominal median series, usually
comprising one series of plates between the lateral
abdominal plates vs. abdominal median series of plates
small, with several plate series irregularly arranged
between the lateral abdominal ones. Can be differentiated
from Hisonotus notatus and Hisonotus
leucofrenatus in the presence on the caudal fin
of a series of light hyaline spots, forming a vertical
light bar, vs. a rounded hyaline blotch or no hyaline
area in the midventral portion of caudal fin. Body
shape, elongated. Habitat: Occurs
in slow to moderate flowing watercourses, with clear
to brown water over sandy bottom and in marginal or
submerged aquatic vegetation. Sympatric with Hisonotus
laevior throughout its distribution.
Reproduction:Scatters eggs
throughout the aquarium and are not cared for by the
parents. Aquarium Care: Said to be
a bit more problematic in the aquarium if good water
quality is not adhered to. They rest on aquatic vegetation
in the aquarium so long leaved plants are recommended.
Cooler temperatures and a strong filtration with adequate
current will fare better for this species and for
this genera overall. Diet: Will feed
on flake, algae, tablet foods and algae wafers. Etymology:
The specific name armatus: Latin for armed
with a weapon, referring to complete covering of odontodes
on anterior tip of snout.
Common
Name:
Arroyo Pixy Catfish
Synonyms:
None
Family:
Loricariidae
Distribution:
South America: Laguna dos Patos system (Brazil and Uruguay).
Type locality: Arambaré stream,
on the highway to Pedro Osório, Pedro Osório
municipality, Rio Grande do Sul (Carvalho et al. 2008).
Size:
4.5cm. (1¾ins)
Temp:
18-24°c (63-75°f.)
p.H.
6.5-7.2.
IUCN
Red List
Hisonotus
armatus is widely distributed in the Laguna dos
Patos system and the Tramandaí River system in
the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. It is an abundant
and frequent species. As there is no measurable evidence
of threats to the species, it has been categorised as
Least Concern (LC), (IUCN 2022).
Reference:
Carvalho,
T.P., P. Lehmann A., E.H.L. Pereira and R.E. Reis,
2008. A new species of Hisonotus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae:
Hypoptopomatinae) from the Laguna dos Patos Basin, Southern
Brazil. Copeia 2008(3):510-516. Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation
(ICMBio). 2022. Hisonotus armatus . The IUCN
Red List of Threatened Species 2022. Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2025.
FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org,
( 04/2025 ).
Hisonotus
armatus Live specimen, Rio Piratini, Rio Grande do Sul,
Brazil
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