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Microglanis variegatus Eigenmann and Henn, 1914

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Relevant Information:

Habitat: This species is common in the Guayas River drainage. Can inhabit small burrows along stream banks and shallow rocky or riffle areas of small streams (Glodek, 1978). Description: Microglanis variegatus differs from other species by the following characters: small size (under 60 mm as adults), broad flat head, eye without free orbital margin, premaxillary tooth band without a posterior projecting angle, strong spines present in dorsal and pectoral fins, barbels short, not reaching dorsal fin origin, adipose fin present as a low keel that is much longer than anal-fin base (Glodek, 1978). Aquarium Care: Microglanis variegatus is one of twenty six, small to medium sized pims, found in this family, and as such is a good addition to the medium sized community tank, and will not harm the occupants unless they are small enough to fit into its mouth such as newly born fry and young fish. This species is one of the smallest in the genera. Hiding places such as rockwork, plants and or wood will benefit this species and help, along with regular water changes, to keep this it happy in its surroundings. Diet: Can be fed a varied diet of tablet food, pellets, worm foods and frozen food such as bloodworm. Etymology: The specific name variegatus: Variable; variously coloured.

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

None

Family:

Pseudopimelodidae

Distribution:

South America: Forest pool near Vinces, Ecuador. Type Locality: Near Vinces, Ecuador.

Size:

4.5cm. (1¾ins)

Temp:

21-25°C (69-77°F)

p.H.

6.0-7.5.

IUCN Red List

Microglanis variegatus occurs in the Guayas River drainages on the Pacific slope of Ecuador. Extent of Occurrence (EOO) is estimated to be 32,211 km2. Total population size and population trend are unknown. A number of regionally pervasive threats in western Ecuador continue to drive declines in habitat quality. However, the direct impact and scope of existing threats on M. variegatus have not been evaluated in detail and therefore the number of threat-based locations where this species occurs cannot be determined with accuracy. Considering a relatively broad range and no indication of major range wide declines in population size or population trend, M. variegatus is assessed as Least Concern, (IUCN 2021).

Reference:

Burgess, W.E., 1989. An atlas of freshwater and marine catfishes. A preliminary survey of the Siluriformes. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey (USA). 784 p.
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. 2021. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 05/2021 ).
Lyons, T.J. 2021. Microglanis variegatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021.
Windsor, Aquirre. Freshwater Fishes of Western Ecuador. (05/2021).

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

Microglanis variegatus

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