SCOTCAT.COM  

Calle Velez, Juan Cristóbal (1) MCZ (1)

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. Habitat: This species inhabits small rivers with moderate water flow and abundant submerged vegetation, and in backwaters of larger rivers. It is endemic to Colombia and is known from the Magdalena-Cauca River basin where it has been recorded in the basins of the rivers La Vieja, Teta, Cauca in la Balsa sector, Pijao, Meléndez and ravine El Silletero. Its type locality is Valle del Cauca. 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 genus name of Pimelodella: Pimel = fat; odella = a little tooth, (a little Pimelodus). The specific name of macrocephala: macro-, large; cephala, head, referring to larger head compared to Imparfinis nemacheir, its presumed congener at the time. Remarks: This is a rare species that has a relatively restricted distribution (extent of occurrence (EOO) estimated to be 10,600 km²) and occurs in seven to ten locations. The area where it occurs is currently being affected by agricultural activities that are causing a continuing decline in the quality of the habitat. It is therefore listed as Vulnerable (IUCN 2016).

None

Nannorhamdia macrocephala

Heptapteridae

South America: Cauca River basin, Colombia. Type locality: Valle del Cauca [Colombia].

2.5cm. (1ins)

23-26°C (73-79°F)

6.0-7.0.

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. 2023. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version.
Mesa-Salazar, L. & Sanchez-Duarte, P. 2016. Pimelodella macrocephala. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016.
Repositorio Institucional de Documentación Científica. Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt.
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.