| Astroblepus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Astroblepus sabalo | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Suborder: | Loricarioidei |
| Family: | Astroblepidae Bleeker, 1862 |
| Genus: | Astroblepus Humboldt, 1805 |
| Type species | |
| Astroblepus grixalvii Humboldt, 1805 | |
Astroblepus is a genus of fish in the family Astroblepidae found in South America and Panama. This genus is the only member of its family. [1] These catfishes are primarily found in torrential streams in the Andean area. [1] Astroblepus pholeter and A. riberae are troglobites adapted to living in subterranean water systems. [2] These species are typically small, less than 10 cm (4 in). [1] The largest species reaches 30 cm (1 ft). [1] These fish have suckermouths like those of loricariids. They have two pairs of barbels, maxillary and nasal. The dorsal fin spine lacks a locking mechanism. [3] These fish also have odontodes, tiny teeth on their skin. All species exhibit a conical, pointy type on their fin rays like that found in other loricarioids; other species also exhibit a blunt type that is only found on their skin. [3]
Some of these fish are able to live in high altitude and climb the faces of waterfalls. [3] Their climbing ability comes from specially developed pelvic fins, as well as their suckermouths. [3] In their Neotropical Andean habitat, dry and wet seasons are quite extreme, and odontodes may help in sensing food, mates and water flow, as well as help cling to surfaces. [3] They feed upon invertebrates, such as caterpillars and annelids. [3]
The Astroblepidae were usually placed within Siluriformes as the sister family of Loricariidae, [4] [5] but a recent study found them to be more closely related to the family Scoloplacidae. [6] [7]