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. These catfishes are primarily found in torrential streams in the Andean area. Astroblepus pholeter and A. riberae are troglobites adapted to living in subterranean water systems. These species are typically small, less than 10 cm (4 in). The largest species reaches 30 cm (1 ft). 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. 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.
Astroblepus chapmani is a species of catfish of the family Astroblepidae. It can be found in the Magdalena River in Colombia.
Astroblepus fissidens is a species of catfish of the family Astroblepidae. It can be found on Ecuador.
Astroblepus formosus is a species of catfish of the family Astroblepidae. It occurs only on a short stretch of the Ucayali River in Peru.
Astroblepus frenatus is a species of catfish of the family Astroblepidae. It can be found in the Magdalena, Orinoco and Catatumbo river basins in Colombia. A. frenatus is a carnivorous speciesand it is a habitat specialist which has a requirement for highly oxygenated water. This means that it is sensitive to changes in oxygenation levels and water temperatures. It may also be affected by the introduced rainbow trout but overall there is very little data about the status of this species.
Astroblepus grixalvii is a species of catfish of the family Astroblepidae. It can be found in Colombia and Ecuador.
Astroblepus guentheri is a carnivorous species of catfish of the family Astroblepidae. It can be found in rainforest streams in the basin of the Magdalena-Cauca rivers and in some Pacific slope rivers in Colombia. It is an uncommon and not well studied species.
Astroblepus labialis is a species of catfish of the family Astroblepidae. It can be found on the Marañón River in Peru.
Astroblepus longiceps is a species of catfish of the family Astroblepidae. It can be found on the Madeira River in Brazil and Bolivia.
Astroblepus longifilis is a species of catfish of the family Astroblepidae. It can be found on the Huallaga River in Peru.
Astroblepus mancoi is a species of catfish of the family Astroblepidae. It can be found on the Ucayali River on Peru.
Astroblepus nicefori is a species of catfish of the family Astroblepidae. It can be found of the Cauca River and the Magdalena River in Colombia.
Astroblepus prenadillus is a species of catfish of the family Astroblepidae. It can be found in Ecuador.
Astroblepus regani is a species of catfish of the family Astroblepidae. It can be found in Ecuador.
Astroblepus retropinnus is a species of catfish of the family Astroblepidae. It can be found in Colombia.
Astroblepus sabalo is a species of catfish of the family Astroblepidae. It can be found on the Ucayali River in Peru.
Astroblepus supramollis is a species of catfish of the family Astroblepidae. It can be found on the Marañón River in Peru.
Astroblepus trifasciatus is a species of catfish of the family Astroblepidae. It can be found in Colombia.
Astroblepus vaillanti is a species of catfish of the family Astroblepidae. It can be found in Ecuador.
Astroblepus ventralis is a species of catfish of the family Astroblepidae. It is found in Colombia, in the Dagua River and Pacific coast.
