Exastilithoxus

Taxobox
name = "Exastilithoxus"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Siluriformes
familia = Loricariidae
subfamilia = Hypostominae
tribus = Ancistrini
genus = "Exastilithoxus"
genus_authority = Isbrücker and Nijssen, 1979
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision =
*"E. fimbriatus"
(Steindachner, 1915)
*"E. hoedemani"
Isbrücker and Nijssen, 1985
synonyms =

"Exastilithoxus" is a small genus of catfish (order Siluriformes) of the family Loricariidae. It includes two species, "E. fimbriatus" and "E. hoedemani".cite web|url=http://www.auburn.edu/academic/science_math/res_area/loricariid/fish_key/exastil/exastil.html|title="Exastilithoxus" Isbrücker and Nijssen, 1979|first=Jonathan W.|last=Armbruster|year=2007|month=June]

Distribution and habitat

"Exastilithoxus" are South American catfish. "E. fimbriatus" is distributed in the Caroní and Matacuni River basins in the Orinoco drainage.FishBase species|genus=Exastilithoxus|species=fimbriatus|year=2007|month=June] "E. hoedemani" is distributed in the Maurauiá River in the upper Rio Negro drainage.FishBase species|genus=Exastilithoxus|species=hoedemani|year=2007|month=June]

Appearance and anatomy

"Exastilithoxus" species are small, cylindrical loricariids. "E. fimbriatus" reaches a length of about 6 centimetres (2.4 in) SL. "E. hoedemani" reaches a length of about 5 cm (2 in) SL.

These species exhibit a round lower lip with fleshy barbels. Color pattern is generally mottled and dark brown with paler areas under and just posterior to the dorsal fin. The abdomen is white, fins are mottled, and the ventral surface of the caudal peduncle is colored as the sides, but slightly lighter. Like other loricariids, the body is armored, however the abdomen is naked.

Ecology

"Exastilithoxus" species are unique among loricariids in that they subsist entirely on insect larvae.

References