SCOTCAT.COM

your internet guide to all things catfish

Harttia canastra Caldas L, Cherobim AM, Langeani F., 2022

Image contributors to this species:

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Description: The genus Harttia belongs to the subfamily Loricariinae and has to date 27 described species, distributed in the drainages of Guiana Shield, Amazon and southeastern Brazil. The new species (H. canastra) is distinguished from its congeners by the combination of: canal plate present; abdominal plates absent; trapezoid preanal plates; males with elongated and conspicuous odontodes on the first pectoral-fin ray and on the lateral region of the head, close to the canal plate; and dorsal-fin spinelet present (Caldas et. al 2022). Habitat: Several locations in the Rio São Francisco basin, mainly headwater streams around the Parque Nacional Serra da Canastra, Municipality of São Roque de Minas, State of Minas Gerais (Caldas et. al 2022) Aquarium Care: Not the easiest genera to keep as they will need clean, oxygen rich water and a strong current. They will also need reduced temperatures in the aquarium due to their southern habitats. Does not do well in imports due to its difficulty in traveling containers. Sexual Differences: Males tend to have odontodes (hair like structures) on the first ray of the pectoral fins and the head in males is broader. Diet: Grazes on microscopic algae, mostly diatoms and green algae growing on rugged and light-coloured rocks, and submersed vegetation. Chironomid and simuliid larvae, as well as tiny crustaceans, are recorded in its diet. When scraping algae off the substrate, the fish makes vigorous mouth movements and jerky movements, probably related to its mouth making alternate grazing and attaching to the substrate. In the aquarium feed dry foods, algae wafers, Spirulina and normal tablet foods. Frozen foods, Artemia nauplii, glass worms and Daphnia. Etymology: The name “canastra” refers to the Serra da Canastra, a mountain range located in the center-south of the state of Minas Gerais, which houses the headwaters of the rio São Francisco, where most of the specimens were collected. A noun in apposition.

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

None

Family:

Loricariidae

Distribution:

South America: Rio São Francisco basin, Brazil.

Size:

10.0cm. (4ins)

Temp:

18-22°c (63-71°f.)

p.H.

6.0-7.5.

Reference:

Caldas L, Cherobim AM, Langeani F. A new species of Harttia from the rio São Francisco basin (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). Neotrop Ichthyol. 2022.

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

Harttia canastra
Male-holotype-Brazil, Minas Gerais State, Rio São Francisco, São Roque de Minas municipality, Fazenda Casca D’Anta

Harttia canastra
Dorsal view-Male-holotype-Brazil, Minas Gerais State, Rio São Francisco, São Roque de Minas municipality, Fazenda Casca D’Anta

Harttia canastra
Ventral view-Male-holotype-Brazil, Minas Gerais State, Rio São Francisco, São Roque de Minas municipality, Fazenda Casca D’Anta

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.