There are now 6 species (2010)
in this genus with L. avacanoeiro and L.
parakana being added in the 2009 paper by de
Carvalho Paixão & Toledo-Piza. The other
four are L.
filamentosus (La
Monte, 1035), L. llanero Taphorn & Lilyestrom,
1984, L. maracaibero Taphorn & Lilyestrom,
1984 and L.
stibaros Isbrücker
& Nijssen, 1978. They can be identified by their
round head, deep body, flattened caudal peduncleand the seven divided soft pectoral fin rays
which is inclusive to this genera. Aquarium
Care: This genus are not the easiest to keep
in captivity as they will need to be fed on the right
vegetarian food such as algae paste on flat stones
which can be a bit of a hit and miss so would need
to be tried on other veg foods and also frozen foods
and other aquarium prepared foods. Water quality is
also very important as any lapse such as deficient
oxygen content will prove detrimental to this species.
Will spend most of their time attached to the aquarium
glass sides and will be difficult to feed as they
will only move to the substrate for a few moments.
If kept with other Loricaria species such as Sturisoma
they will have to compete for food and they will
eventually lose out. Reproduction:
The breeding of this genera has been achieved but
the raising of the fry has been problematic. Can be
told apart from congeners by the long filaments on
the pectorals. A Loricariid for the more experienced
catfish keeper. Sexual Differences:
Males tend to have odontodes (hair like structures)
on the first ray of the pectoral fins and the head
in males is broader. Etymology: The
specific name llanero: The Llanero are the
people who occupy the plains in the region of the
Apure River drainage in Venezuela, where this catfish
is found.
Common
Name:
None
Synonyms:
None
Family:
Loricariidae
Distribution:
Venezuela:
Guanare Viejo River basin, Orinoco River drainage.
Type locality: Venezuela, Estado
Portuguesa, Río Guanare Viejo cerca de Hoyada.
Size:
20.0cm. (8ins)
Temp:
26-28°c (79-85°f.)
p.H.
6.0-7.5.
IUCN
Red List
Lamontichthys
llanero is assessed as Least
Concern based mainly on its large distribution,
abundance and presence in various rivers and habitats
with good conservation status, including one protected
area. Nevertheless, in addition to there being human
impacts in many drainages (e.g. piedmonts), ornamental
fishing shows a high extraction rate from natural environments,
and represents a threat to the species (IUCN 2021).
Reference:
Evers, H.-G. &
I.Seidel: Mergus,
Baensch Catfish Atlas Volume 1, 1st English edn.,
2005. Pp.944. Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist
of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes),
and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa
1418:1-628. Rodríguez-Olarte, D., DoNascimiento,
CD, Taphorn, D.C., Mojica, J.I., Usma, S. & Herrera-Collazos,
E.E. 2021. Lamontichthys llanero.
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021.
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.