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Pimelodella modesta (Günther 1860)

Image contributors to this species:

Windsor Aquirre (1) Daniel (2)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Habitat: This species is common in the Guayas, Chone, Portoviejo and Esmeraldas basins of western Ecuador. Description: This species is distinguished from other catfishes by having the anterior surface of pectoral-fin spine without hooks, a prominent dark brown stripe present laterally, maxillary barbells extending well past the adipose-fin origin, and caudal-fin lobes of equal length (Glodek, 1978). 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 the African genera 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. Remarks: Can still be found on some online searches as Pimelodella modestus.

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

Pimelodus modestus, Pimelodella modestus

Family:

Heptapteridae

Distribution:

South America: Esmeraldas River basin, Ecuador. Patia River, Colombia. Type locality: Fresh waters of Esmeraldas, Ecuador.

Size:

12.0cm. (4¾ins)

Temp:

20-24°C (67-75°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. 2021. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 05/2021 ).
iNaturalist Ecuador (05/2021).
Windsor, Aquirre. Freshwater Fishes of Western Ecuador. (05/2021).

Family: Heptapteridae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails

Pimelodella modesta

Pimelodella modesta
Buena Fe, Ecuador

Pimelodella modesta
Caluma, Ecuador

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