SCOTCAT.COM

your internet guide to all things catfish

Scleronema operculatum Eigenmann, 1917

Image contributors to this species:

Felipe Cantera (2)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Description: The Scleronema genera is distinguishable from Trichomycterus and Eremophilus by having a long dermal flap on the opercle and by having a maxillary bone that is larger than its accociated barbel. There is a patch of spines on the interoperculum and usually also on the operculum. Etymology: The genus name minutum: Greek, skleros = hard + Greek, nema = filament. The specific name operculatum: Latin for operculate, allusion not explained, probably referring to opercular flap nearly reaching base of last pectoral-fin ray.

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

None

Family:

Trichomycteridae

Distribution:

South America: South America: Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Type locality: Cacequy, Brazil.

Size:

8.0cm T.L. (3¼ins)

Temp:

p.H.

6.0-7.0.

IUCN Red List

Scleronema operculatum has a moderately small range and an Extent of Occurrence (EOO) of 23,053 km2, but the full distribution of the species is uncertain, and so the number of locations cannot be ascertained. Associated agricultural pressures on its distribution range is also inferred to be causing a continuing decline in the habitat quality; as such, the species is assessed as Near Threatened. Further research must be conducted on its exact distribution, (IUCN 2023).

Reference:

Brejão, G.L. 2023. Scleronema operculatum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2023.
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).
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. 2014. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 12/2016 ).
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.

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

Scleronema operculatum

Scleronema operculatum
Dorsal view

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.