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.
Hypostomus is a genus of catfish in the family Loricariidae. They are native to tropical and subtropical South America. H. plecostomus is the popular freshwater aquarium fish formerly known as Plecostomus plecostomus. The taxonomic structure of the Loricariidae is still being expanded by scientists. Hypostomus is a highly species-rich and widely distributed catfish genus.
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.
Pterosturisoma microps is the only species of the monotypic genus Pterosturisoma, a genus of the family Loricariidae of catfish.
Dentectus barbarmatus is the only species of the monotypic genus Dentectus, a genus of armored catfish.
Furcodontichthys novaesi is the only species of the monotypic genus Furcodontichthys, a genus of armored catfish.
Planiloricaria cryptodon is the only species of the monotypic genus Planiloricaria, a genus of the family Loricariidae of catfish.
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.
Pyxiloricaria menezesi is the only species of the monotypic genus Pyxiloricaria, a genus of the family Loricariidae of catfish.
Rhadinoloricaria is a genus of catfish endemic to South America. It was considered to be monotypic until the 2020 discovery of a second species.
Rhadinoloricaria macromystax is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae and the genus Rhadinoloricaria. The genus was monotypic until 2020, when a new species, R. stewarti, was described.
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.
Loricariichthys is a genus of catfishes of the family Loricariidae.
Sturisoma is a genus of armored catfishes native to Central and South America.
Harttia is a genus of armored catfishes native to South America.
Loricaria is a genus of armored catfish 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.
Hemiodontichthys is a monotypic genus in the family Loricariidae, under the order Siluriformes, containing a single species, Hemiodontichthys acipenserinus, also known as the Pinocchio whiptail catfish, Pinocchio catfish, Pinocchio cat or the knob-nosed whiptail. This shy, bottom-dwelling catfish is native to the Guianas, Brazil, Bolivia and Perú in South America.
