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Rhinelepis aspera Spix & Agassiz, 1829

Image contributors to this species:

Robin Warne (1) Hudson Crizanto Gonçalves (4)

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Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Description: The Rhinelepis group is unique among Loricariids for possessing a round (normal) iris versus a bilobed iris (although it is often hard to see the flap in bilobed, preserved fishes). The species has also thick plates and lacks an adipose fin. Habitat: Among the Loricariidae of the São Francisco river basin, R. aspera is the one that reaches the largest size, and can exceed 4 kg of body weight. R. aspera can be found throughout the basin of the São Francisco and Paraná rivers, with its typical location in the São Francisco river (Fowler, 1954). The black armored catfish Rhinelepsis aspera Agassiz, 1829 (‘cascudo-preto’) is an important and currently rare commercial fish of the São Francisco River, although still found in large numbers in its main tributary, the Paracatu River. Its flesh is firm, tasty and practically devoid of bones and fat. It is caught with gill nets. Reproduction: May not be possible as this genera migrate to spawn, and scatter their eggs with no parental protection. Aquarium Care: Grows rather large and would need a large tank to accommodate it. Diet: Omnivore: Feed veg, frozen foods and also tablet and pellet food. Etymology: The specific name aspera: Latin for rough, referring to “minute rough needles” (translation) all over body.

Common Name:

Black armored catfish

Synonyms:

None

Family:

Loricariidae

Distribution:

Brazil: São Francisco and upper Paraná River basins. Type locality: In flumine S. Francisci, Brazil.

Size:

30.0cm. (12ins)

Temp:

23-27°c (73-81°f)

p.H.

6.0-7.0.

IUCN Red List

Rhinelepis aspera is an important species for fishing, both in the São Francisco basin and in the upper Paraná River basin. The combined effect of hydroelectric dam construction and intensive commercial fishing has led to a decline in both the São Francisco and upper Paraná populations in the last 27 years (three generations) at a rate of c. 25%; a population decline is currently also inferred. Stretches with local extinctions are already observed in the São Francisco basin, where the species is no longer recorded in its lower course; a continuing decline in mature individuals is therefore inferred. Given the moderate rates of decline in the past, this species is thus assessed as Near Threatened, (IUCN 2024).

Reference:

Armbruster, J.W., 1998. Phylogenetic relationships of the suckermouth armored catfishes of the Rhinelepis group (Loricariidae: Hypostominae). Copeia 1998(3):620-636.
Salvador, G.N. 2024. Rhinelepis aspera. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024.
Yoshimi Sato, Nelsy Fenerich-Verani, José Roberto Verani, Hugo Pereira Godinho, Edson Vieira Sampaio; Induced Reproduction and Reproductive Characteristics of Rhinelepis aspera Agassiz, 1829 (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes, Loricariidae). Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais.

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

Rhinelepis aspera
Head view

Rhinelepis aspera

Rhinelepis aspera
Head view

Rhinelepis aspera

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