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Sturisomatichthys panamensis (Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889)

Image contributors to this species:

Danny Blundell (7) Chris Ralph (2) Craig (6)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Similar to Sturisomatichthys festivus but has shorter fins without the long extensions, and the body is somewhat slimmer. The work carried out by Covain et.al. 2016 confines the Sturisoma genera to east of the Andes (cis-Andean), and the Sturisomatichthys genera restricted to the west of the Andes (trans-Andean). Reproduction: As per this genus will lay eggs usually on the tank walls and the male will guard and fan the eggs. The eggs will hatch between 7 to 9 days and the youngsters will eat Artemia, minced lettuce and mashed peas. Aquarium Care: Large planted aquarium with non aggressive tank mates. Regular water changes must be adhered to, to keep this animal in good health. Sexual Differences: Mature males will grow odontodes along the sides of the head and rostrum (snout). Diet: Mostly vegetarian with cucumber, spinach, and algae wafers. Meaty foods such as frozen blood worms and live foods such as white worms and brine shrimp can be fed sporadically. Etymology: The specific name panamensis: From Panama, type locality. Remarks: Still found on some online sources as S. panamense.

Common Name:

Royal Twig Catfish

Synonyms:

Loricaria panamensis, Sturisoma panamense

Family:

Loricariidae

Distribution:

South America: Pacific slope rivers of Colombia, Ecuador, Panama. Caribbean slope rivers of Colombia. Type locality: Panama.

Size:

26.0cm. (10½ins)

Temp:

26-29°c (79-85°f)

p.H.

6.5-7.2.

IUCN Red List

Sturisomatichthys panamensis occurs broadly from the Santa Maria and Tuira River drainages on the Pacific slope of Panama (Smith and Bermingham 2005), eastward to the Atrato, Sinú, and Truando drainages on the Atlantic slope of Colombia. Extent of Occurrence (EOO) is estimated to be 99,656 km2. Total population size and population trend have not been quantified, but limited ichthyological surveys suggest that this species is uncommon throughout much of its range. A number of localised and regional threats exist, including land-use change and deforestation associated with agricultural expansion, widespread artisanal and commercial mining operations, and pollution from industrial and domestic wastewater discharge. While existing threats are probably producing localised negative impacts on habitat availability and quality, there is currently no indication of major range-wide population declines. Therefore, S. panamensis is assessed as Least Concern (IUCN 2020).

Reference:

Covain, R., S. Fisch-Muller, C. Oliveira, J.H. Mol, J.I. Montoya-Burgos and S. Dray, 2015. Molecular phylogeny of the highly diversified catfish subfamily Loricariinae (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) reveals incongruences with morphological classification. Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 94:492-517.
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.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2017. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 10/2017 ).
Grant, S. Whiptail Catfish on the Move. Practical Fishkeeping (UK) May 2016.
Lyons, T.J., González, R. & Armbruster, J.W. 2020. Sturisomatichthys panamensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020.

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

Sturisomatichthys panamensis

Sturisomatichthys panamensis
Close-up of male

Sturisomatichthys panamensis
Male with eggs

Sturisomatichthys panamensis
Eggs-Embryos

Sturisomatichthys panamensis
7 days old

Sturisomatichthys panamensis
12 weeks old

Sturisomatichthys panamensis

Sturisomatichthys panamensis
Close up of head

Sturisomatichthys panamensis
Male

Sturisomatichthys panamensis
Eggs-Embryos 2 days

Sturisomatichthys panamensis
Eggs-Embryos 3 days

Sturisomatichthys panamensis
Eggs-Embryos 8 days

Sturisomatichthys panamensis
Eggs-Embryos about to hatch

Sturisomatichthys panamensis
Male cleaning eggs

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