This species is closely related
to R.
morrowi (remains smaller and does
not have a dorsal spot) and R.
melini (different
colouration). These two
species are slender and elongated. Aquarium
Care: Not an easy species to keep with excessive
demands on good water quality. Prefers water movement
in the aquarium. Diet: Omnivore.
Vegetable food such as cucumber and other various
foods such as tablet, flake and frozen. Etymology:
The genus name meaning rine-rasp, referring to sharp
bristles on sides of snout (of males); Loricaria,
genus in which type species, R. lima, had
originally been described. The specific name of formosa
meaning beautiful, which “alludes to the whole
fish,” presumably referring to colouration,
stripes and numerous small brown spots.
Common
Name:
None
Synonyms:
Hemiloricaria formosa
Family:
Loricariidae
Distribution:
South America:
Western Orinoco and upper Amazon River basins.
Type Locality: Colombia, Lagoon about 1 km
upriver from Puerto Inírida, Río Orinoco
basin.
Size:
18.0cm. (7ins)
Temp:
26-29°c (79-87°f)
p.H.
6.0-7.5.
Reference:
Evers, H.-G. &
I.Seidel: Mergus,
Baensch Catfish Atlas Volume 1, 1st English edn.,
2005. Pp.944. Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist
of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes),
and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa
1418:1-628.
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