This species is monotypic.
Among Pimelodidae, it shares apomorphic features,
placing it near the diverse Calophysus-Pimelodus clade
and is closely related to Pimelodus
ornatus. Description:
Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total):
6; Anal soft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 46 - 47. Distinguished
with the following three apomorphic anatomical complexes:
1.) mouth ventral and transverse, supported by reoriented,
much expanded premaxillae and foreshortened mandibles;
premaxillae and dentaries densely covered with robust,
needle-like teeth arranged in a steeply-descending,
antero-posterior size series. 2.) lateral margins
of orbit and otic region elevated with textured ridges
developed from the frontal, sphenotic and pterotic
bones surrounding the supraorbital, otic and postotic
lateralis sensory canals. 3.) Interorbital septum
severely compressed as thin, apparently median, bony
sheet. Habitat: Collected from large
rivers with swift but not strong currents with bedrock
to boulder-strewn substrates. Aquarium Care:
Provide hiding places for this 'pim' and you will
be able to see it on the odd occasions when food is
introduced. Peaceful species but not to be trusted
with small fish such as tetras as they will pick them
of at night on their forays so they must be kept with
species larger or compatible with it such as barbs,
gouramis, cichlids and other South American catfish.
Diet: Most aquarium fare such as
tablet, flake, worm and frozen foods.
Common
Name:
None
Synonyms:
None
Family:
Pimelodidae
Distribution:
South America:
Upper Maroni River basin in French Guiana and Suriname.
Size:
14.0cm. (5½ins)
Temp:
24-25°C (75-77°F)
p.H.
6.5-7.2.
Reference:
Froese, R. and D. Pauly.
Editors. 2018. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic
publication. www.fishbase.org, version (12/2018). Mol, H.A. Jan, The Freshwater
Fishes of Suriname. BRILL, Leiden Boston, 2012. 889
p. Parisi, B.M. and J.S. Lundberg, 2009.
Pimelabditus moli, a new genus and new species of
pimelodid catfish (Teleostei: Siluriformes) from the
Maroni River basin of northeastern South America.
Notulae Naturae (Philadelphia) 480:1-11.
Pimelabditus
moli Head view-Tapanahony river,Suriname
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