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Hisonotus laevior Cope, 1894

Image contributors to this species:

Carvalho et al. 2008 (3)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Description: Hisonotus laevior differs from its congeners, except from H. notopagos and H. taimensis by the higher number of median plate series 25-27 (Table 2), vs. 20-25, by the number of predorsal plates 3-4 (modally 4; Fig. 7b), vs. 2- 3 predorsal plates, and by the vertebral count 30-31, vs. 25-29. Hisonotus laevior is distinguished from H. notopagos by the presence of a posterior notch articulation in the rostral plate, vs. notch articulation in the rostral plate absent; by the possession of a rounded caudal peduncle in cross section, vs. a slight square caudal peduncle in cross section; and by having the area anterior to nares unplated, vs. area anterior nares covered by plates. Hisonotus laevior can be distinguished from H. taimensis by the wider cleithral width 20.6-24.6% SL, mean 22.9%,vs. 18.5-21.3% SL, mean 20.0% (Fig. 15), and by the higher body depth at dorsal-fin origin 16.2-20.8 % SL, mean 18.1%, vs. 13.3-16.3%, mean 15.1% (Carvallo et al. 2008). Habitat: Found in slow to median flowing watercourses, with clear to brown waters running over a sandy bottom and occurs in marginal or submerged aquatic vegetation (Carvallo et al. 2008). 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 laevior: Latin for smoother, perhaps referring to scutes “posteriorly moderately hispid, smoother anteriorly”.

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

Hisonotus leptochilus, Microlepidogaster laevior, Microlepidogaster leptochilus, Otocinclus laevior, Otocinclus leptochilus

Family:

Loricariidae

Distribution:

South America: Jacuí River basin, Brazil. Type locality: Rio Jacuhy, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Size:

5.0cm. (2ins)

Temp:

18-24°c (63-75°f.)

p.H.

6.5-7.2.

IUCN Red List

Hisonotus laevior is endemic to the Laguna dos Patos system and the Jacuí River basin 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.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2025. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 04/2025 ).
Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio). 2022. Hisonotus laevior. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022.

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

Hisonotus laevior
Female-Arroio Inhuquipá, São Lourenço do Sul, Brazil

Hisonotus laevior
Dorsal view-female-Arroio Inhuquipá, São Lourenço do Sul, Brazil

Hisonotus laevior
Ventral view-female-Arroio Inhuquipá, São Lourenço do Sul, Brazil

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