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Pimelodella cristata (Müller & Troschel, 1849)

Image contributors to this species:

Dominick Porcelli (1) Mark Henry Sabaj (1) Cheilinus Aquarium Photography (1) Erling Holm (1)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Habitat: This species occurs in Guyana, Peru and French Guiana and throughout the Amazon basin. It is likely that the species is more widespread, but this is complicated by the current taxonomic debate. Occurs over sand in creeks and rivers. Very voracious. Sexual Differences: The genital tracts are organised like those of Rhamdia. Eye size changes according to sex. Aquarium Care: Treat as you would do with any member of the Pimelodus in that they will be predatory on small fishes in the aquarium and it is also better to keep them in small groups rather than singularly, as this will dilute the aggression. As this is one of the largest species in this genera it would need a large tank to accommodate an adult sized fish of 34cm. S.L. Diet: Will eat any aquarium prepared foods such as tablets, pellets, frozen and live foods. Not fussy eaters. Etymology: The specific name cristata: Latin for crested, allusion not explained nor evident [sometimes dated to 1848, research needed].

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

Pimelodus cristatus

Family:

Heptapteridae

Distribution:

South America: Guyana and French Guiana. Type locality: Takutu und Mahu [Branco River basin, Guyana.

Size:

34.0cm. (14½ins)

Temp:

24-28°C (75-83°F)

p.H.

6.0-7.0.

IUCN Red List

The species is assessed as Least Concern due to its very large distribution and the lack of any known major widespread threats, (IUCN 2023).

Reference:

Bockmann, F.A. and G.M. Guazzelli, 2003. Heptapteridae (Heptapterids). p. 406-431. In R.E. Reis, S.O. Kullander and C.J. Ferraris, Jr. (eds.) Checklist of the Freshwater Fishes of South and Central America. Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS, Brasil.
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, ( 07/2017 ).
Reis, R., Salvador, G.N. & Lima, F. 2023. Pimelodella cristata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2023.
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.

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

Pimelodella cristata

Pimelodella cristata
From the Oyapock

Pimelodella cristata

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