SCOTCAT.COM
your internet guide to all things catfish
Rhinelepis aspera Spix & Agassiz, 1829 |
Image contributors to this species: |
Robin Warne (1) |
ScotCat Sources: |
|
Other Sources: |
 |
Relevant Information: |
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. 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 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. 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. Breeding: May not be possible as this genera migrate to spawn, and scatter there eggs with no parental protection. |
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: |
30cm. (12ins) |
Temp: |
23-27°c (73-81°f.) |
p.H. |
|
6.0-7.0. |
Reference: |
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 |
|
If you would like to contribute to the monthly factsheets with an article, information or photos, please e-mail me. You will of course be credited for your work.
If you would like to donate any denomination of monies to the site just click the above link button. All proceeds will go to running the site and hopefully to keep it going for a few years yet.
Print or e-mail this factsheet below.
