| Kronichthys | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Loricariidae |
| Subfamily: | Neoplecostominae |
| Genus: | Kronichthys Miranda Ribeiro, 1908 |
| Type species | |
| Kronichthys subteres Miranda Ribeiro, 1908 |
|
| Species | |
Kronichthys is a genus of catfishes (order Siluriformes) of the family Loricariidae. It includes three species, K. heylandi, K. lacerta, and K. subteres.[1] However, it is unknown whether all three species are valid.[2]
K. heylandi inhabits coastal streams of eastern Brazil between Santos and Rio de Janeiro.[3] K. lacerta originates from the Baia de Paranaguá basin and Ribeira de Iguape River basin.[4] K. subteres lives in the Ribeira de Iguape River basin.[5]
Kronichthys species are small, cylindrical fishes similar to the hypoptopomatine Schizolecis. The color pattern is dark brown with a slight mottling or four dorsal saddles, and the abdomen mostly white. The dorsal fin is short and the adipose fin is small.[2] K. heylandi reaches about 15 centimetres (6 in) TL in males and 8.8 cm (3½ in) SL in females.[3] K. lacerta grows to about 7 cm (2¾ in) SL.[4] K. subteres reaches about 12 cm (4¾ in) TL.[5]
K. subteres inhabits streams with rocky and sandy bottom. This species forages both during the day and at night, grazin on microscopic algae, mostly diatoms and green algae growing on rocks and submersed vegetation. They occasionally take chironomid and simuliid larvae, as well as tiny crustaceans. Before grazing on a patch with dense sediment, the fish makes wiggling head-down movements which raise sediment, which is blown away by the water current. When grazing algae off the substrate, the fish makes vigorous mouth movements, and moves by jerky movements probably related to its mouth making alternate grazing and attaching to the substrate. K. subteres leaves conspicuous grazing marks on exposed rocks. These fish may re-graze a given spot by moving backwards.[5]