| Loricariichthys | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Loricariichthys maculatus (above) and Loricariichthys castaneus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Loricariidae |
| Tribe: | Loricariini |
| Genus: | Loricariichthys Bleeker, 1862 |
| Species | |
See § Species | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Loricariichthys is a genus of catfishes (order Siluriformes) of the family Loricariidae.
This genus is part of the Loricariichthys group within the subfamily Loricariinae; this group also includes the genera Furcodontichthys , Hemiodontichthys , Limatulichthys , and Pseudoloricaria . [1] Loricariichthys seems to be intermediate between Limatulichthys and Pseudoloricaria on one hand, and Furcodontichthys and Hemiodontichthys on the other. [1] Although this genus is well diagnosed, the species are very similar and difficult to identify. [1]
There are currently 18 recognized species in this genus: [2]
Loricariichthys is distributed in most major freshwater drainages east of the Andes and north of Buenos Aires. [3] Loricariichthys is widely distributed in the Amazon basin, the Paraná system, and coastal rivers of the Guiana and Brazilian Shields. [1]
An accessory respiration organ, consisting of a double respiratory purse connected to the distal end of the esophagus, is present in a number of species of Loricariichthys. [3]
The lower lip of immature males and females has two thick, cushionlike structures, which are covered with small papillae and have irregular fringes along the posterior edge. [3] However, in nuptial males of Loricariichthys, the cushionlike structures on the lower lip recede or even disappear, and the lip becomes wider and longer and becomes smooth or covered with minute papillae. Males use this enlarged lower lip to clasp and carry a cluster of developing eggs. This method of carrying eggs is possibly a strategy to protect the eggs from predation, since these fishes commonly live in exposed sandy- or muddy-bottomed environments devoid of places to hide. [3]
A diploid number of 2n = 56 has been reported for two species characterized. [1] A ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system was also reported for L. platymetopon. [1]
These species occur in a large diversity of habitat over sandy and muddy bottoms. [1] Like other members of the Loricariichthys group, Loricariichthys species are lip brooders. [1] The male holds the clutch of eggs in a large membranous extension of the lower lip. [4]
Ancistrus is a genus of nocturnal freshwater fish in the family Loricariidae of order Siluriformes, native to freshwater habitats in South America and Panama. Fish of this genus are common in the aquarium trade where they are known as bushynose or bristlenose catfish. In the aquarium hobby they are often referred to as bushynose or bristlenose plecos instead, but this may lead to confusion as "pleco" usually is used for Hypostomus plecostomus and its allies and is often used as a catchall term for any loricariids remotely resembling that species.
Loricariidae is the largest family of catfish, with 92 genera and just over 680 species. Loricariids originate from freshwater habitats of Costa Rica, Panama, and tropical and subtropical South America. These fish are noted for the bony plates covering their bodies and their suckermouths. Several genera are sold as "plecos", notably the suckermouth catfish, Hypostomus plecostomus, and are popular as aquarium fish.
Rineloricaria is a genus of freshwater tropical catfish belonging to the family Loricariidae. They are commonly called whiptail catfish because of the long filament that grows out of the tip of the caudal fin that is characteristic of the genus. With the exception of R. altipinnis from Panama, they are native to the rivers of northern and central South America. Some species are regularly seen in the aquarium trade.
Farlowella is a genus of fish in the family Loricariidae native to South America. This genus is broadly distributed in Amazon, Orinoco, Paraná and coastal rivers of the Guyana Shield. It is absent from the Pacific slope of the Andes and from the coastal rivers of the Brazilian Shield. Many of these species are kept in aquariums. This genus has a unique body shape that resembles a thin stick of wood. The body is slender and elongate, often with a pronounced rostrum and a brownish color with two lateral dark stripes beginning at the tip of the rostrum, passing over the eyes and ending at the tail, which are periodically interrupted on the caudal peduncle.
Loricariinae is a subfamily of the family Loricariidae of catfish. This subfamily is divided into two tribes and about 30 genera. They are mainly native to freshwater habitats in South America, but there are also several species in Panama and a single (Fonchiiichthys) in Costa Rica.
Pterosturisoma microps is the only species of the monotypic genus Pterosturisoma, a genus of the family Loricariidae of catfish.
Limatulichthys griseus, is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae.
Limatulichthys is a genus of catfish in the family Loricariidae and the subfamily Loricariinae.
Pseudoloricaria laeviuscula is the only species of the monotypic genus Pseudoloricaria, a genus of the family Loricariidae of catfish. The phylogenetic position of Pseudoloricaria is uncertain.
Ricola macrops is the only species of the monotypic genus Ricola, a genus of the family Loricariidae of catfish.
Ixinandria steinbachi is the only species in the genus Ixinandria of catfish of the family Loricariidae.
Sturisoma is a genus of armored catfishes native to Central and South America.
Pareiorhaphis is a genus of catfish in the family Loricariidae native to South America. This genus can be readily distinguished from other neoplecostomines by the unique combination of having fleshy lobes on lateral margins of head ornamented with hypertrophied odontodes on nuptial males, caudal peduncle ovoid in cross section, abdomen usually naked, dorsal fin spinelet ovoid and adipose fin usually present. The color pattern is usually dark brown and mottled with the abdomen white. Most species in to Pareiorhaphis were originally described in Hemipsilichthys. In 1918, Alípio de Miranda-Ribeiro proposed the new genus Pareiorhaphis. Whether Pareiorhaphis is monophyletic or not is currently unknown.
Loricaria is a genus of armored catfish native to South America.
Sturisomatichthys is a genus of armored catfishes native to Central and South America.
Paraloricaria is a genus of armored catfishes native to South America.
Dasyloricaria is a genus of armored catfishes native to Central and South America. The distribution of these species includes the northwestern South America on the Pacific slope of Colombia and Panama. Its distribution is restricted to the Pacific slope of the Andes, which is a unique pattern of distribution within the subfamily.
Spatuloricaria is a genus of armored catfishes native to South America and Panama.
Loricariichthys edentatus is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the lower Uruguay River basin in Entre Ríos Province in Argentina, and also in Brazil. It has no teeth on the premaxilla, a unique feature in the genus Loricariichthys. The species reaches 11.5 cm in standard length and is believed to be a facultative air-breather.
Loricariichthys melanocheilus is a species of catfish found in the lower Paraná River and Uruguay River basins in South America, where it is known from Argentina and Brazil. The species reaches 43 cm in standard length and is believed to be a facultative air-breather.