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Rhynchodoras castilloi Birindelli, Sabaj Pérez & Taphorn, 2007

Image contributors to this species:

Mark Henry Sabaj (1)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Description: Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6; Vertebrae: 41. Differs from Rhynchodoras xingui by having the following characters: all three tympanal scutes weakly developed (vs. second and particularly third well developed, latter with medial carina); midlateral scutes 34-36 (vs. 33 -34); and anterior midlateral scutes relatively shallow, depth about one-fifth of corresponding body depth, and with dorsal and ventral laminae weakly developed, lacking distinct serrations along posterior margins (vs. depth about one-third to one-quarter of corresponding body depth, and dorsal and ventral laminae well developed with conspicuously serrated posterior margins). Diagnosed from Rhynchodoras woodsi by having a simple swim bladder (vs. each posterior chamber of gas bladder expanded into elongate horn-like diverticulum), and tubercles punctate and abundant (vs. tubercles elongate, dashlike, and sparse), (Birindelli, J.L.O et al 2007). Aquarium Care: As with most Rhynchodoras and its close relatives, Rhinodoras and Ospodoras they will need plenty of hiding places with driftwood, ceramic pots and pipes being the norm. A good water flow is also suggested for this species. Diet: They will need feeding in the dusk hours as they will probably not appear much during the day unless you have dim lighting in the tank. Feed all the usual aquarium foods such as tablet, pellet, flake and frozen foods such as bloodworm, and live foods such as small earthworms and whiteworm. Etymology: The specific name castilloi: In honour of Venezuelan biologist Otto E. Castillo G., who collected much of the type material, for his lifelong dedication to the study and stewardship of his country’s rich diversity of freshwater fishes.

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

None

Family:

Doradidae

Distribution:

South America: Middle and lower Apure River, Orinoco River basin, Venezuela.

Size:

8.0cm. (3¼ins)

Temp:

23-26°C (73-79°F)

p.H.

6.0-7.5.

IUCN Red List

There is little information about Rhynchodoras castilloi, except the original description. The species has a restricted distribution to the lowlands of the Apure River and its population has an unknown trend. The extent of occurrence (EOO) for this species is best estimated at 5,688 km² and the area of occupancy (AOO) is best estimated at 532 km². There are two threat-based locations associated with general changes in channel sedimentation and habitat loss. Therefore, it is assessed as Vulnerable (IUCN 2021).

Reference:

Birindelli, J.L.O., M.H. Sabaj and D.C. Taphorn, 2007. New species of Rhynchodoras from Río Orinoco, Venezuela, with comments on the genus (Siluriformes: Doradidae). Copeia 2007(3):672-684.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2025. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version.
Rodríguez-Olarte, D., Mojica, J.I., DoNascimiento, CD, Usma, S. & Villa-Navarro, F. 2021. Rhynchodoras castilloi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021.
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.

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

Rhynchodoras castilloi

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