Acanthicus adonis

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Acanthicus adonis
Acanthicus adonis1.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Loricariidae
Genus: Acanthicus
Species:
A. adonis
Binomial name
Acanthicus adonis

Acanthicus adonis, the adonis pleco or polka dot lyre-tail pleco, is a large species of armored catfish. [2] [3] It was originally described from the lower Tocantins River in Brazil, but individuals resembling the species have also been recorded from Amazonian Peru. [4] [5] The species is occasionally seen in the aquarium trade, but its massive adult size and territorially aggressive behavior means that a very large tank is required. [5] [2] These fish are opportunistic omnivores. [2]

Appearance

Acanthicus adonis is among the largest armored catfish species and reaches a length of 1 m (3.3 ft). [2] [5]

It is dark brown to black with numerous white spots as a juvenile. As the fish matures, the spots become less numerous and smaller, often disappearing entirely in large adults. [2] [5] Its close relative A. hystrix always lack white spots, regardless of age. [4] [6] In contrast, A. adonis lacks the vermiculated pattern often (but not always) found on the underparts of A. hystrix. [4] [6]

References

  1. Salvador, G.N. (2023). "Acanthicus adonis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2023: e.T164512501A164512505. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T164512501A164512505.en . Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 PlanetCatfish: Acanthicus adonis. Retrieved 17 May 2013
  3. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Acanthicus adonis". FishBase . December 2011 version.
  4. 1 2 3 Chamon, C.C. (2016): Redescription of Acanthicus hystrix Agassiz, 1829 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), with comments on the systematics and distribution of the genus. Zootaxa, 4088 (3): 395–408.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Acanthicus adonis". SeriouslyFish. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
  6. 1 2 Chamon, C.C. (2011). Revisão taxonômica e relações filogenéticas do grupo Acanthicus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) (PDF) (PhD thesis). São Paulo State University. doi:10.11606/T.41.2012.tde-13072012-101458.