Lophiosilurus alexandri

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Lophiosilurus alexandri
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Pseudopimelodidae
Genus: Lophiosilurus
Steindachner, 1876
Species: L. alexandri
Binomial name
Lophiosilurus alexandri
Steindachner, 1876
Synonyms
  • Lophiosilurus agassizi
    Steindachner, 1880

Lophiosilurus alexandri is a species of catfish (order Siluriformes) of the family Pseudopimelodidae, and the only species of the monotypic genus Lophiosilurus.

Contents

[edit] Distribution and habitat

This fish originates from the São Francisco River in Brazil.[1] Here, it is commonly known as pacamã.[2] It prefers lentic habitats.[2] This species has been introduced into the Doce River basin, but its effect on the native species has not been studied.[2]

[edit] Description and ecology

This fish reaches 72 centimetres (28 in) TL and has a maximum published weight of 5,000 grams (11 lb).[1] It has an extremely large mouth, earning it the name Pac-Man catfish.[3]

L. alexandri is a sedentary species.[2] This species has adhesive eggs and the male displays parental care.[2]

L. alexandri represents an example of parallel evolution, sharing a similar morphology and lifestyle to species of the distantly related Chaca catfish.[3]

[edit] Relationship to humans

L. alexandri has economic potential for aquaculture.[2]

L. alexandri is a rarely imported aquarium fish. These fish require a sandy substrate and should not be maintained with fish that it can eat (a fish less than half of its size).[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b "Lophiosilurus alexandri". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. May 2007 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2007.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Barros, Marcelo D. M.; Guimarães-Cruz, Rodrigo J.; Veloso-Júnior, Vanderlei C.; Santos, José E. dos (2007). "Reproductive apparatus and gametogenesis of Lophiosilurus alexandri Steindachner (Pisces, Teleostei, Siluriformes)" (PDF). Revista Brasileira de Zoologia 24 (1): 213–221. doi:10.1590/S0101-81752007000100028. 
  3. ^ a b c PlanetCatfish::Cat-eLog::Pseudopimelodidae::Lophiosilurus alexandri. PlanetCatfish.com (2006-10-07). Retrieved on 2007-06-03.
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