This species is well-represented
in scientifc collections, but has commonly been mis-identified
as A. vittatus. As with A. polystictus,
A. lineatus, although not formally described
at the time, was observed and illustrated by Alfred
Russel Wallace during his mid-1800s expedition to
the Negro River (Toledo-Piza, 2002: 291, fig. 114).
Its status as an undescribed species was first recognised
by Walsh (1990) and it was also previously documented
from the Orinoco River basin (Royero, 1999). In 2014,
large numbers of live specimens of this species were
seen being prepared for shipment by a commercial exporter
of ornamental fishes in Iquitos, Peru (S. J. Walsh
pers. obs.). This and other small species of Ageneiosus
are becoming increasingly popular in the aquarium
trade (Ribeiro et al 2017). Description:
Ageneiosus lineatus differs from its congeners,
except A.
magoi, A.
pardalis and A.
vittatus, by having prominent dark stripes on
the sides of the body (v. uniform colour with irregular
dark specks or blotches on sides of body). Ageneiosus
lineatus differsfrom A.
inermis, A.
magoi, A.
polystictus
and A.vittatus by having a deeply forked
caudal (v. caudal emarginate to truncate). Ageneiosus
lineatus differs from A. apiaka, A.
dentatus, A.
ucayalensis
and A. uranophthalmus by having a shorter
anal fin (32–38 anal-?n rays v. 39–49).
Ageneiosus lineatus differs from A. pardalis
by havinga reduced and ossified gas bladder (v. large,
non-ossified gas bladder) and by having epaxial musculature
covering the tympanic region (v. tympanic region translucent,
not concealed by epaxial musculature). Ageneiosus
lineatus differs from A. inermis and
A. ucayalensis by having fewer gill rakers
on the first branchial arch (11–18, mode =13v.
18– 30, mode =22). Ageneiosus lineatus
differs from A.
militaris by having a longerpectoral
fin spine (15·4–21·8v.10·5–14·6%
LS) and longer pelvic fin (13·1–17·1v.9·6–13·6%
LS). Sexual Differences:Males posses a genital papilla and when sexually
mature have an enlargedand curved
extension to the dorsal fin spine. They also grow
thickened barbels to grasp the females with. These
differences revert back to normal when not in season.
Aquarium Care: As per this genera
they will be fine as juveniles, but as they mature
they become predatory so would need to be kept with
fish that are not too small. A large tank would be
needed with plenty of swimming space. Diet:
Meat based. Etymology:
The genus name Ageneiosus: beardless, pertaining
to the very small maxillary barbels. The specifc epithet
lineatus: lined or streaked. Remarks:
This genus was previously placed in its own family
of Ageneiosidae and you can still find some publications
that still follow this line. In some online sources
this species is still listed as A. vittatus
or not listed at all (2021).
Common
Name:
None
Synonyms:
None
Family:
Auchenipteridae
Distribution:
South America:Widely distributed throughout the Amazon
and Orinoco River basins. Type Locality:
Rio Negro, Rio Jaú, Novo Airã, Amazonas,
Brazil.
Size:
16.0cm. (6¼ins)
Temp:
23-26°c (73-79°f.)
p.H.
6.5-7.2.
Reference:
Ribeiro, Frank Rapp
Py-Daniel, Lúcia Walsh, Stephen 2017/02/01.
Taxonomic revision of the South American catfish genus
Ageneiosus (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) with the
description of four new species: taxonomic revision
of ageneiosus 90 10.1111/jfb.13246 Journal of Fish
Biology. Sabaj, Mark Henry.Facebook
report. 2021.
Ageneiosus
lineatus Breeding
male with ossified maxillary barbels and hooks on hypertrophied
dorsal spine
Ageneiosus
lineatus Female with eggs
Ageneiosus
lineatus Maxillary barbel becomes ossified in mature males
and studded with small hooks to help grasp a female during a spawning
clasp
Ageneiosus
lineatus Anteriormost anal-fin rays of the male bears a
fleshy tube, used to inseminate the female. In the photo, sperm
is being released from the distal end of the tube
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