The genus Pseudacanthicus
currently comprises the following six described species
distributed in the Amazon and Tocantins basins, and
coastal drainages from Guyana to French Guyana: P.
serratus,
P. fordii, P.
histrix, P.
spinosus, P.
leopardus,
P.
pitanga, and P.
pirarara. Herein we describe P.
major, from the Rio Tocantins basin, one of the
largest loricariid species known. Description:
The new species is distinguished from its congeners
by the following combination of characters: having
body colour pattern with dark brown background without
spots or blotches and dorsal and caudal fins with
transversal white bands; anterior process of compound
pterotic with no contacting with the posterior margin
of the orbit and by the absence of a conspicuous crest
on the posterior edge of parieto-supraocciptal. Other
osteological characteristics are further used to diagnose
P. major from others congeners. A discussion
on gigantism and miniaturization in freshwater fish,
ornamental fisheries activities, threats and conservation
of the new species are also provided (Chamon et al.
2018). Aquarium Care: Would need
a large tank as they grow very big and are territorial.
Diet: As with all of this genera they are
carnivores and would need to be fed on frozen foods
such as Artemia, mosquito larvae, mysis and
shrimp. They can also be fed pellet and tablet foods.
Etymology:
The specific name meaning Larger; senior to another,
colluding to the large size of this Loracarid.
Remarks:
The Tocantins in Brazil is the only river where 3
species of Pseudacanthicus occur together,
P. pitanga, P. major and P.
sp. (L079), (Mark
Henry Sabaj 2019).
Common
Name:
L186
Synonyms:
None
Family:
Loricariidae
Distribution:
Brazil:
Rio Tocantins. Type Locality: Rio
Areias near to the confluence with Rio Tocantins,
Porto Nacional, Brazil, 1050'30"S, 4823'35"W.
Size:
60.0cm. (24ins)
Temp:
25-29°c (77-85°f)
p.H.
6.0-7.5.
Reference:
Chamon, Carine C.;
Silva, Thiago Costa E. Pseudacanthicus major:
description of one of the largest known Loricariidae
(Hypostominae: Ancistrini), a species from rio Tocantins
basin, Brazil. Zootaxa, [S.l.], v. 4387, n. 3, p.
499–510, feb. 2018. ISSN 1175-5334. Mark
Henry Sabaj pers. comm.
2019. Seidel, I.
2008. Back to Nature guide to L-catfishes, Ettlingen,
Germany 208 p.
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