SCOTCAT.COM  

Billy Grant (1) Robin Warne (2) Peru Aquarium Group (1) Johnny Jensen's Photographic Library (3) Zierfisch Zentrum Austria (1) Fauna Tropica (1)

This monotypic genus is known only from the upper Amazon River basin. Pterosturisoma is a rheophilic species. Evers & Seidel (2005) described this species as an open brooder. Description: Pterosturisoma appears morphologically very similar to Lamontichthys from which it differs primarily in the number of pectoral fin rays (i–6 in the former versus i–7 in the latter). These two genera share features with Sturisoma such as similar body depth at dorsal-fin origin, presence of filamentous extensions on caudal-fin spines, and complete abdominal plate cover extending to the lower lip margin. These features are never observed in Harttia, suggesting these two genera share a closer relationship with Sturisoma than with Harttia as hypothesized by Rapp Py-Daniel (1997). Sexual Differences: Males do not possess hypertrophied odontodes neither on the sides of head, nor on pectoralfin spines. Nevertheless, Evers & Seidel (2005) distinguished both sexes by the width of a naked trapezoidal area framed by four bony plates in the genital region. This area appeared broader in females, and longer and narrower in males. Aquarium Care: Very sensitive to low oxygen contents and poor water conditions. Can be hard to get newly imported specimens to feed. Tank size should be at least 4ft in length. A species that can only be kept by experienced aquarists who are used to keeping members of this family. Diet: Vegetable foods which can include peas. Other foods can also be given.

Long-tailed Sturisoma

Hartia microps

Loricariidae

South America: Peru, Upper Amazon at Iquitos.

20.0cm. (8ins)

26-28°c (79-83°f)

6.5-7.2.

Covain, Raphael; Fisch-Muller, Sonia (2007). "The genera of the Neotropical armored catfish subfamily Loricariinae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae): a practical key and synopsis". Zootaxa 1462: 1–40.
Evers, H.-G. & I. Seidel: Mergus, Baensch Catfish Atlas Volume 1, 1st English edn., 2005. Pp.944.