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Mejia et al 2025 (3)

Abstract: A new species of Rineloricaria from the São João and Macaé river basins in Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil is described. The new species is distinguished from most of its congeners by possessing of five series of lateral plates below the dorsal fin; mid-dorsal series consisting of four or five keeled plates extending posteriorly beyond the origin of the dorsal fin; pectoral girdle covered by plates; snout tip with naked area not reaching most anterior pore of infraorbital ramus of sensory canal; dorsal-fin spinelet present. The new species differs from R. zawadzkii, the most similar and geographically closest species, by having mid-ventral and lateral abdominal plates in contact (vs. separated by skin), the dorsal fin with a dark brown terminal band not reaching the edge, with inconspicuous dark dots along the lower edge (vs. band reaching the edge), and the caudal fin with a diffuse distal band with variegated white spots (vs. a well-defined distal band). The genetic distance based on cytochrome c oxidase I between the new species and the closest congeners supports its validity. The current distribution of the new species in the São João and Macaé basins is consistent with paleo-drainage connections influenced by sea-level fluctuations (Mejia et al 2025). Sexual dimorphism. Mature males with abundant hypertrophied odontodes on the lateral margins of the head. Dorsal region of pectoral-fin rays covered almost entirely with thin, long odontodes with curved tips. Unbranched pectoral-fin ray thick, strongly curved, with short, densely arranged odontodes (Mejia et al 2025). Reproduction: The Rineloricaria species are usually cave spawners, where the female will place their eggs after the male has cleaned inside. The male will then guard and fan the eggs until hatching. The eggs will hatch in 4-5 days whereas the male can now be removed. More breeding information can be found here in the articles breeding section. Aquarium Care: As with all Rineloricaria provide long leaved plants or bamboo stalks for them to hang on to. Diet: Omnivore. Vegetable food such as cucumber and other various foods such as tablet, flake and frozen. Etymology: The specific name buckupi (noun, masculine, singular genitive), is a patronym for Paulo A. Buckup, in recognition of his valuable teachings as an advisor to numerous students, including the authors of this paper. Paulo has done outstanding work and made numerous contributions to Neotropical ichthyology, including advances in the systematics of Rineloricaria over the past 25 years (Mejia et al 2025). Remarks: For the full paper link here

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Loricariidae

South America: Brazil, five tributaries of São João River (Aldeia Velha River, Bacaxá River, Capivari River, Lontra River, and Maratuã River) and two tributaries of the lower Macaé River (Ouro River and Aduelas Creek).

15.0cm. (6ins)

20-24°c (67-75°f)

6.0-7.0.

Fish in the News 2025
Mejia, E., Ferraro, G. A., & Souto-Santos, I. C. A.. (2025). A new species of whiptail catfish Rineloricaria (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Macaé and São João river basins, southeastern Brazil. Neotropical Ichthyology, 23(2), e240087.