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Carl H. Eigenmann (1) Field Museum of Natural History (3)

Habitat: This species is distributed in the piedmont tributaries of the Guaviare, Meta, and Apure drainages (Orinoco basin). Reproduction: Generally seasonal, and is synchronized with the rainy period. Multiple spawning occurs and reproductive females exhibit burrowing behaviour, to protect the brood from being washed away (Amaral et al. 1998). This genus has been in confusion for a good number of years now especially with another close member of the Pimelodidae family, Pimelodus. These notes are the following distinguishing characteristics from the two genus. Pimelodella: Adipose fin long, low with a curved margin. The humeral process is long and spiky. Body usually plain with a dark lateral stripe; rather depressed body. Pimelodus: Adipose fin short, high, with a straight or sloping margin. Humeral process broad, triangular. Body variously patterned, usually quite deep, like Synodontis. 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. Diet: Will eat any aquarium prepared foods such as tablets, pellets, frozen and live foods. Not fussy eaters. Etymology: From the River (Rio) Meta, South America (Colombia). Remarks: This species is relatively widespread in Colombia and Venezuela. There are no population trend data but it is not suspected to be declining at a rate sufficient for listing as Near Threatened or threatened. Therefore, it is assessed as Least Concern (IUCN 2022).

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Heptapteridae

South America: The Meta River Basin in Colombia. Type locality: Rio Negro, Villavicencio [Colombia].

10.0cm. (4ins) TL.

24-28°C (75-83°F)

6.0-7.0.

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.
DoNascimiento, CD, Herrera-Collazos, E.E., Mojica, J.I., Rodríguez-Olarte, D. & Usma, S. 2022. Pimelodella metae. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022.
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. 2023. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 07/2023 ).