Exastilithoxus

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Exastilithoxus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Loricariidae
Subfamily: Hypostominae
Tribe: Ancistrini
Genus: Exastilithoxus
Isbrücker and Nijssen, 1979
Species
  • E. fimbriatus
    (Steindachner, 1915)
  • E. hoedemani
    Isbrücker and Nijssen, 1985

Exastilithoxus is a small genus of catfish (order Siluriformes) of the family Loricariidae. It includes two species, E. fimbriatus and E. hoedemani.[1]


Contents

[edit] Distribution and habitat

Exastilithoxus are South American catfish. E. fimbriatus is distributed in the Caroní and Matacuni River basins in the Orinoco drainage.[2] E. hoedemani is distributed in the Maurauiá River in the upper Rio Negro drainage.[3]

[edit] Appearance and anatomy

Exastilithoxus species are small, cylindrical loricariids.[1] E. fimbriatus reaches a length of about 6 centimetres (2.4 in) SL.[2] E. hoedemani reaches a length of about 5 cm (2  in) SL.[3]

These species exhibit a round lower lip with fleshy barbels.[1] Color pattern is generally mottled and dark brown with paler areas under and just posterior to the dorsal fin. The abdomen is white, fins are mottled, and the ventral surface of the caudal peduncle is colored as the sides, but slightly lighter.[1] Like other loricariids, the body is armored, however the abdomen is naked.[1]

[edit] Ecology

Exastilithoxus species are unique among loricariids in that they subsist entirely on insect larvae.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Armbruster, Jonathan W. (June 2007). Exastilithoxus Isbrücker and Nijssen, 1979.
  2. ^ a b "Exastilithoxus fimbriatus". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. June 2007 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2007.
  3. ^ a b "Exastilithoxus hoedemani". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. June 2007 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2007.