| Megalechis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Megalechis thoracata | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Callichthyidae |
| Subfamily: | Callichthyinae |
| Genus: | Megalechis R. E. dos Reis, 1997 |
| Type species | |
| Callichthys thoracatus Valenciennes, 1840 | |
Megalechis is a small genus of freshwater catfish in the Callichthyinae subfamily of the armored catfish family.
The name is derived from the Greek megas, meaning "great", and the Greek lekis, meaning "plate". [1]
No uniquely derived features are known for Megalechis. [2]
A change in the synonymy of the species of Megalechis occurred in 2005. It is especially confusing because the name M. thoracata remains valid, but applies to the species formerly known as M. personata, which becomes a new junior synonym of M. thoracata. On the other hand, the species formerly known as M. thoracata is now named M. picta. [3]
There are currently two recognized species in this genus: [1]
Both species of Megalechis are distributed east of the Andes in the northern portion of South America, including the Amazonas and Orinoco rivers, as well as the coastal drainages of the Guyanas. [2]
M. thoracata is distinguished from M. picta by a comparatively shorter dorsal fin spine, the anal fin with six (rarely five) branched rays instead of an anal fin with five, rarely four, branched rays, and the caudal fin dotted or dusky often with a clearer band at the base of rays versus a caudal fin with a conspicuous transverse dark band and dark distal border. [3] Megalechis species grow to about 12–15 centimetres SL. [4] [5]
Reproductive males have an extremely developed pectoral fin spine, like that of Hoplosternum littorale . [2] In M. thoracata, males are also larger than females. [6]
Callichthyidae is a family of catfishes, called armored catfishes due to the two rows of bony plates along the lengths of their bodies. It contains some of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish, such as many species in the genus Corydoras.
Lobotes is a genus of ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Lobotidae known as the tripletails. These fishes are found in subtropical and tropical waters in all oceans.
The stream catfishes comprise the family Akysidae of catfishes.
Parapterois is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. These fish originate from marine environments in the Indian Ocean or near it. The venomous Parapterois heterura is occasionally seen as an aquarium fish.
Lepthoplosternum is a small genus of freshwater catfish in the Callichthyinae subfamily of the armored catfish family.
Auchenipterichthys is a genus of driftwood catfishes found in South America.
Bagrichthys is a genus of bagrid catfishes.
Eurycheilichthys is a small genus of armored catfishes native to South America.
Bagarius is an Asian genus of catfishes of the family Sisoridae. It includes five to six extant species and potentially one extinct fossil species, B. gigas.
Sisor is a genus of catfishes native to Asia.
Breitensteinia is a genus of catfishes of the family Akysidae. It includes three species.
Paraplotosus is a genus of catfishes native to Australasia and South-east Asia.
The Mexican blind brotula is a species of viviparous brotula endemic to Mexico, where it is found in sinkholes and caves. It is known as sak kay in Mayan and dama blanca ciega in Spanish. This cavefish grows to a standard length of 9.7 cm (3.8 in). It is the only known member of its genus.
Entomocorus is a genus of catfishes of the family Auchenipteridae.
Entomocorus gameroi is a species of driftwood catfish native to Venezuela and questionably present in Colombia. It is found in the Apure River basin. It grows to a length of 7.0 cm and can be distinguished from its congeners by an oblique band crossing from the dorsal profile of the caudal peduncle to the middle-upper rays of the caudal fin. E. gameroi is classified as an omnivore with a tendency towards insectivory; it has been found to eat cladocerans, copepods, and water mites, as well as ostracods, insects including coleopterans, dipterans, ephemeropterans, hemipterans, and seeds and other vegetal matter.
Megalechis picta, the Tail bar armored catfish, Tail bar hoplo or Spotted Hoplo, is a species of catfish of the family Callichthyidae. M. picta occurs east of the Andes in the Amazon, Orinoco, and upper Essequibo River basins, and coastal rivers of northern Brazil.
Megalechis thoracata is a species of catfish of the family Callichthyidae. M. thoracata is found east of the Andes in the Amazon, Orinoco, and upper Paraguay River basins, as well as in the coastal rivers of the Guianas and northern Brazil. Recent introductions were recorded in the upper Paraná River drainage.
Synodontis pardalis is a species of upside-down catfish that is endemic to Cameroon where it occurs in the Dja River drainage. It was first described by British-Belgian zoologist George Albert Boulenger in 1908, from specimens collected in the Dja River in southern Cameroon. The species name pardalis is derived from the Greek word pardalis, which means "leopard", which refers to the spotted pattern on the fish.
Trachyscorpia is a genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the subfamily Sebastinae, the rockfishes, part of the family Scorpaenidae. The species in this genus are found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans.
Apsilus is a small genus of marine ray-finned fish, snappers belonging to the family Lutjanidae. The two species within the genus are native to the Atlantic Ocean,