This genus has been in confusion
for a good number of years now especially with another
close member of the Pimelodidae family, Pimelodus.
These notes are the following distinguishing characteristics
from the two genus. Pimelodella: Adipose
fin long, low with a curved margin. The humeral
process is long and spiky. Body usually plain with
a dark lateral stripe; rather depressed body. Pimelodus:
Adipose fin short, high, with a straight or sloping
margin. Humeral process broad, triangular. Body
variously patterned, usually quite deep, like Synodontis.
Aquarium Care:Treat
as you would do with any member of the Pimelodus in
that they will be predatory on small fishes in the
aquarium and it is also better to keep them in small
groups rather than singularly, as this will dilute
the aggression. Diet: Will eat any
aquarium prepared foods such as tablets, pellets,
frozen and live foods. Not fussy eaters. Etymology:
The specific name avanhandavae: Of Salto
Avanhandava, Brazil, waterfall on the Rio Tietê,
type locality. Remarks:
Pimelodella avanhandavae is a species widely
distributed in the Tietê River basin, where
it is frequent and abundant. As no significant threats
have been detected that put its population at risk,
Pimelodella avanhandavae was listed as Least
Concern (LC), (IUCN 2018).
Common
Name:
None
Synonyms:
None
Family:
Heptapteridae
Distribution:
South America:
Tietê River basin, upper Paraná River
basin (Brazil). Type Locality: Rio
Tietê at Salto Avanhandava, above the fall [Brazil].
Size:
14.0cm. (5½ins)
Temp:
23-26°C (73-79°F)
p.H.
6.0-7.0.
Reference:
Bockmann, F.A. and
G.M. Guazzelli,
2003. Heptapteridae (Heptapterids). p. 406-431. In
R.E. Reis, S.O. Kullander and C.J. Ferraris, Jr. (eds.)
Checklist of the Freshwater Fishes of South and Central
America. Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS, Brasil.
Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes,
recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and
catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly.Editors.
2024. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.
www.fishbase.org, version. Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação
da Biodiversidade (ICMBio). 2022. Pimelodella
avanhandavae. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
2022.
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