| Dianema | |
|---|---|
| Dianema urostriatum | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Callichthyidae |
| Subfamily: | Callichthyinae |
| Genus: | Dianema Cope, 1871 |
| Type species | |
| Dianema longibarbis Cope, 1872 |
|
| Species | |
| Synonyms | |
Dianema is a small genus of freshwater catfish in the Callichthyinae subfamily of the armored catfish family, and consists of two species, D. longibarbis and D. urostriatum. The type species for this genus is Dianema longibarbis. The name is derived from the Greek di, meaning "two", and nema, meaning "filament".[1] The two species of Dianema share approximately the same distribution, and are found in the Amazon River and lower courses of its tributaries.[2] Dianema species have the habit of swimming midwater, as opposed to the bottom as in most callichthyids.[2]