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Londoño-Burbano A. et al., Omar E. Melo-Ortiz (3) Allan James (2) Johnny Jensen's Photographic Library (1) David Sands (2) Kiruya Momochi (2)

Known by its common name of 'The Crying whiptail' due to the two black stripes that run on top of the head and through the eye to the end of the snout. The dorsal has a large black blotch which sometimes takes up the whole dorsal fin and runs down into the body. Description: A new species of Loricaria is described from the upper Amazon River basin, Colombia. The new species is distinguished from its congeners primarily by having the dorsal portion of head with uniform black or dark brown colouration extending to three or four plates posterior to dorsal fin base, or with two longitudinal bands from tip of the snout to origin of dorsal fin; abdominal plates tightly joined and completely covering the median abdominal space and pectoral girdle; and pectoral and dorsal fins totally black or dark brown, without bands, spots, or blotches. The new species is further distinguished by plate counts, and body measurements (Londoño-Burbano A. et al. 2023). Aquarium Care: Soft substrate such as sand is beneficial. High oxygen levels, frequent water changes and strong filtration is called upon. Provide plants and bogwood for shelter. Diet: aufwuchs feeder. Etymology: The specific name nimairaco in the Uitoto-Muinane language from Peru, means “house of a wise man” (Minor, Hendrich-Minor, 2008:86). In tribute to our friend and colleague, José Iván Mojica, late professor of the Instituto de Ciencias Naturales de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia. His contributions to Colombian ichthyology (biology, ecology, systematics, and biogeography of freshwater fishes) have made it possible to advance in the conservation of the country’s fishes and rivers, such as the Amazon, the river that was always the home of the wise. A noun in apposition (Londoño-Burbano A. et al. 2023).

Crying Whiptail, Rio Atabapo Loricaria

None

Loricariidae

South America: Colombia, Putumayo, Puerto Asís, Putumayo River, Rio Atabapo.

18.0cm. (7ins)

22-25°c (71-77°f.)

6.0-7.0.