Description:
Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total):
6; Anal soft rays: 12 - 15. This species differs from
other species of Hassar by its relatively
narrow interorbital and long snout, interorbital width
32.2-44.7% distance from snout tip to anterior naris
(vs. 45.0-89.4%). It is most similar to H.
orestis,
but it can be further separated from that species
by having gas bladder with few, weakly developed peripheral
diverticula restricted to anterolateral shoulder and
posterolateral face of anterior chamber, and sometimes
anterolateral face of posterior chamber (vs. well
developed diverticula with multiple branches and grouped
into fascicles encircling horizontal periphery of
gas bladder in H. orestis), and posterior
face of gas bladder smooth, broadly to narrowly rounded
(vs. posterior chambers expanded posteriorly into
medially conjoined ternimal diverticula, effecting
acutely subtriangular, cone-shaped posterior face).
This species also differs from H.
affinis and H.
gabiru by its snout, distance snout
tip to anterior naris 9.5-12% SL (vs. 6.9-9.7% SL),
interorbital width 3.4-4.8% SL and 9.8-14.7% HL (5.9-8.0%
SL and 17.3-24.3% HL), and caudal peduncle depth 4.8-5.6%
SL (vs. 6.6-8.0% SL). It is diagnosed from all congeners
except H. orestis by the distal half of soft
dorsal fin consisting of distinct dark subtriangular
blotch not extending to distal margin, pale margin
complete, its width approaching that of blotch (vs.
distal half of soft dorsal dfn dusky to margin in
H. affinis; or with dark blotch leaving narrow
pale distal margin, width less than half that of dark
blotch, in H. gabiru, H.
wilderi
and sometimes H. orestis). Aquarium
Care: For a large species it is non aggressive
and can be kept with smaller species such as small
characins, dwarf cichlids, small labyrinth species
and also other small catfish such as Corydoras
and the smaller members of the Loracariids. Provide
a soft substrate such as fine sand as they like to
sift through this for edibles and a sharp substrate
could cause damage to its fine feathered barbels.
Lone individuals will not do well in an aquarium setup
so a group of three or more will be more beneficial
to the long term health of this species. A planted
aquarium is a must as they like to hide in the roots
more so than having a rock or wood setup. Diet:
Tablet foods, small live and frozen foods such as
worms and Daphnia.
Common
Name:
None
Synonyms:
None
Family:
Doradidae
Distribution:
South America:
Rio Teles Pires and one or more sites in the upper
Rio Juruena in Brazil.
Size:
22.0cm. (8¼ins)
Temp:
22-25°C (71-77°F)
p.H.
6.0-7.5.
Reference:
Froese, R. and D. Pauly.
Editors. 2018. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic
publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 06/2018 ). Sabaj Pérez,
M.H. and J.L.O. Birindelli,
2013. Hassar shewellkeimi, a new species of thorny
catfish (Siluriformes: Doradidae) from the upper Tapajós
basin, Brazil. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia
162:133-156.
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.