Lophiosilurus alexandri

Taxobox
name = "Lophiosilurus alexandri"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Siluriformes
familia = Pseudopimelodidae
genus = "Lophiosilurus"
genus_authority = Steindachner, 1876
species = "L. alexandri"
binomial = "Lophiosilurus alexandri"
binomial_authority = Steindachner, 1876
synonyms =
*"Lophiosilurus agassizi"
Steindachner, 1880

"Lophiosilurus alexandri" is a species of catfish (order Siluriformes) of the family Pseudopimelodidae, and the only species of the monotypic genus "Lophiosilurus".

Distribution and habitat

This fish originates from the São Francisco River in Brazil.FishBase species|genus=Lophiosilurus|species=alexandri|year=2007|month=May] Here, it is commonly known as "pacamã".cite journal|url=http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rbzool/v24n1/28.pdf|title=Reproductive apparatus and gametogenesis of "Lophiosilurus alexandri" Steindachner (Pisces, Teleostei, Siluriformes)|first=Marcelo D. M.|last=Barros|coauthors=Guimarães-Cruz, Rodrigo J.; Veloso-Júnior, Vanderlei C.; Santos, José E. dos|journal=Revista Brasileira de Zoologia|volume=24|issue=1|pages=213–221|year=2007|format=PDF|doi=10.1590/S0101-81752007000100028] It prefers lentic habitats. This species has been introduced into the Doce River basin, but its effect on the native species has not been studied.

Description and ecology

This fish reaches 72 centimetres (28 in) TL and has a maximum published weight of 5,000 grams (11 lb). It has an extremely large mouth, earning it the name "Pac-Man catfish".

"L. alexandri" is a sedentary species. This species has adhesive eggs and the male displays parental care.

"L. alexandri" represents an example of parallel evolution, sharing a similar morphology and lifestyle to species of the distantly related "Chaca" catfish.

Relationship to humans

"L. alexandri" has economic potential for aquaculture.

"L. alexandri" is a rarely imported aquarium fish. These fish require a sandy substrate and should not be maintained with fish that it can eat (a fish less than half of its size).cite web|url=http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=907|title=PlanetCatfish::Cat-eLog::Pseudopimelodidae::Lophiosilurus alexandri|publisher=PlanetCatfish.com|date=2006-10-07|accessdate=2007-06-03]

References