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 e now enter the new year of 2023 and a delve into a member of the Loracariinae sub-family in the guise of Harttia fluminensis a catfish that is not too common in the hobby and is very rarely exported. This species is only known from the Coppename River drainage in Suriname. Although there are another 21 described species in this genera (2023), only five are represented in this area. In French Guiana, H, fowleri (Pellegrin, 1908) H. guianensis Rapp Py-Daniel & Olvieira, 2001, and H. surinamensis Boeseman 1971. In Suriname, our factsheet of the month, H. fluminensis Covain & Fisch-Muller, 2012, H. surinamensis Boeseman 1971 (again), Harttia tuna Covain & Fisch-Muller, 2012. and H. guianensis Rapp Py-Daniel & Olvieira, 2001 (again).

Harttia fluminensis

The Loricariinae belong to the Neotropical mailed catfish family Loricariidae, the most species-rich catfish family. Among loricariids, members of the Loricariinae are united by a long and flattened caudal peduncle and the absence of an adipose fin. The type species for the Harttia genus is Harttia loricariformis Steindachner 1877.

Harttia fluminensis - Head view-Boven Coppename, Suriname

This species at one time was thought to be a population of H. surinamensis from which it differs in some morphometric details and colouration.

Key to Harttia: Eye diameter large (on average 20% of head length); tip of snout naked; without filamentous extensions on pectoral upper and lower caudal spines.
(Reproduced from Covain, R & Fisch-Muller S. The genera of the Neotropical armored catfish subfamily Loricariinae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae): a practical key and synopsis Zootaxa 1462: 1–40. 2007).

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Loracariinae

South America: Known only from the Coppename River drainage in Suriname. Type Locality: Raleigh Falls

15.0cm. (6ins)

25-28°c (75-83°f.)

Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 5. Distinguished from all other species of the genus Harttia except Harttia tuna and Harttia trombetensis by having an incomplete abdominal cover, restricted to preanal and abdominal lateral plates with a row of platelets joining these two series of plates (vs. absence of row of platelets making junction between preanal and lateral abdominal plates), and by its specific barcode sequence (JF292263). Differs from Harttia tuna by having a deeper head (37.31-43.30, mean 38.94 ± 1.42% of HL, vs 31.96-38.77, mean 36.52 ± 1.80% of HL), and from Harttia trombetensis by its colour pattern of caudal fin (a large dark band at base of caudal fin vs. a dark rounded blotch). Can be further diagnosed from all other congeners by having a greater minimum caudal peduncle depth (mean = 1.60 ± 0.11% of SL vs. 1.35 ± 0.13 < mean < 1.43 ±0.11% of SL); and a greater interorbital width (mean = 24.25 ±1.02% of HL vs. 22.04 ± 1.27 < mean < 23.12 ± 1.11% of HL).

Not the easiest genera to keep as they will need clean, oxygen rich water and a strong current. Does not do well in imports due to its difficulty in traveling containers. Peaceful fish with other companions who like water movement in the aquaria. Better to keep this species in a small group if possible.

Information for Harttia guianensis. They lay their eggs on a flat surface and practice brood care. Feeding the fry consists of newly hatched Artemia nauplii, microeels, and fine dry foods or Spirulina tablets. Feeding was given 5 times daily. (Thomas Wiedner from Evers, H.-G. & I.Seidel: Mergus, Baensch Catfish Atlas Volume 1, 1st English edn., 2005. Pp.944.)

Males tend to have odontodes (hair like structures) on the first ray of the pectoral fins and the head in males is broader with also odontodes and the same structures on the keels of the lateral plates.

Dry foods, algae wafers, Spirulina and normal tablet foods. Frozen foods, Artemia nauplii, glass worms and Daphnia.

Anal fin: The median, unpaired, ventrally located fin that lies behind the anus, usually on the posterior half of the fish.
Caudal fin: The tail.
Caudal peduncle: he narrow part of a fish's body to which the caudal or tail fin is attached.
Dorsal fin: The primary rayed fin(s) on top of the body.
Lateral: Referring to the side or directed toward the side or extending from the side; the opposite of medial.
Odontodes: Hair-like stuctures on the body.

fluminensis: The specific name 'fluminensis' is from the Latin flumen meaning river, in reference to the ecology of Harttia that represents a group of rheophilic fish from the main channel of rivers.

Photo Credits

© Karsten Schönherr
Map: © Raphael Covain
Map: © Encyclopaedia Britannica