raspabalsa

Scientific name Chaetostoma microps
Descriptor Günther
Year of description 1864
IUCN category (World) LC
Family Loricariidae
Genus Chaetostoma
Chaetostoma microps Chaetostoma microps

Introduction

Chaetostoma microps is a species widely distributed in the rivers of the upper Amazon basin in Ecuador and Peru. This catfish, capable of climbing waterfalls, has been recorded up to 1783 meters above sea level. It mainly feeds on algae that it grazes on rocky bottoms. It is locally consumed by Ecuadorian and Peruvian communities.

Who is it?

Morphology

  • Type
  • Average size
    8 cm
  • Maximum size
    9 cm
  • Shape
    Catfish
  • Mimicry
    rocky bottoms
  • Pattern
    ponctuations
  • Type
  • Average size
    8 cm
  • Maximum size
    9 cm
  • Shape
    Catfish
  • Mimicry
    rocky bottoms
  • Pattern
    ponctuations

How to recognize This fish ?

Chaetostoma microps measures around 8 cm. The base color of the head ranges from light gray to dark gray, brown or golden yellow, with distinct spots, round to vermiculated, white, light blue or yellow.

The body is light gray to dark gray, brown or golden yellow, with distinct spots, round to vermiculated, white, light blue or yellow. These spots are limited to the front and upper part of the body, while the rest of the body is a uniform color.

The dorsal and pectoral fins are uniform or irregularly and indistinctly marbled. A distinct black spot of approximately the diameter of the nostril is present along the anterior base of the dorsal fin, between the second unbranched ray and the first branched ray.

Sexual dimorphism

Adult males have more developed fins. The snout of adult males is also wider.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • diet
    herbivorous
  • Sociability
    solitary
  • territorial
    Yes
  • Way of living
    diurnal

Chaetostoma microps lives solitarily or in very scattered groups in rocky areas and gravel zones. These algae-eating fish mainly feed on periphyton (algae) that they graze on the substrate. Although visible during the day, they seem more active at night.

This species is known for its abilities to climb steep waterfalls, allowing it to colonize inaccessible pools and small streams, as well as caves. The reasons for this behavior are still unknown. These small fish may be seeking shelter to reproduce or perhaps avoiding the presence of predators.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovipare qui pond sur substrat caché

Chaetostoma microps is an oviparous fish that lays eggs on hidden substrate. There is little information about its reproduction in the wild.

Harmless species

This species does not pose any particular danger to humans if encountered in its natural habitat.

Origin and distribution

Geographic distribution & Conservation

Chaetostoma microps mainly inhabits the basins of the Napo and Pastaza rivers to the north and up to the Huallaga river basin to the south, in Ecuador and Peru. It is not found in the Ucayali river basin to the south, nor north of the Napo river basin.

It seems unlikely that it is present in the Ucayali as it has never been detected, its southern limit is probably the Huallaga river basin. Recent research in the Aguarico river basin did not find Chaetostoma microps, but a similar species, suggesting that the Napo river is its northern limit.

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : LC

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    20 - 25 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    6.5 - 7
  • Flow
    Strong and Medium

Biotope presentation

Chaetostoma microps favors well-oxygenated waters in flowing areas and rapids. It frequents fast-flowing waters where the bottom is strewn with pebbles, wood, or leaves carried by the current. It can be found near waterfalls.

 

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Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Benoit Chartrer

Benoit Chartrer

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

Bibliographic references

Observation of the Catfish Chaetostoma microps Climbing in a Cave in Tena, Ecuador - Geoffrey Hoese - Aaron Addison - Theofilos Toulkeridis - Rickard Toomey - Subterranean Biology - 2015. 15: 29–35

A Multilocus Molecular Phylogeny for Chaetostoma Clade Genera and Species with a Review of Chaetostoma (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the Central Andes - Nathan K. Lujan - Vanessa Meza-Vargas - Ramiro Barriga - Hernán López-Fernández - Copeia - 2015. 15: 29–35

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