| Rhinelepis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Loricariidae |
| Subfamily: | Hypostominae |
| Tribe: | Rhinelepini |
| Genus: | Rhinelepis Agassiz, 1829 |
| Species | |
Rhinelepis is a genus of South American catfish (order Siluriformes) of the family Loricariidae. It contains two species, R. aspera and R. strigosa.[1] It is one of three genera in the tribe Rhinelepini.[2]
Rhinelepis species originate from tropical South America. R. aspera is found in the São Francisco River, while R. strigosa is found in the Paraná River. Rhinelepis also exist in the Paraíba do Sul, where they reached by a past connection to the Paraná River that no longer exists.[2] R. strigosa is also known from the Uruguay River basin.[3] Rhinelepis are also present in a reservoir near Fortaleza in Ceará where it probably was introduced.[2]
Rhinelepis species are large and heavily plated, though the plates on the abdomen (belly) develop later than in Pseudorinelepis. They are generally charcoal gray without any markings. The head is long and fat. The fins are short and the adipose fin is entirely absent. The gill opening is much larger than that of most loricariids. The cheeks lack elongate odontodes.[2] R. aspera reaches about 33 centimetres (13 in) TL.[4] R. strigosa reaches about 40 cm (16 in) SL.[3]