Leiarius

Taxobox
name = "Leiarius"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Siluriformes
familia = Pimelodidae
genus = "Leiarius"
genus_authority = Bleeker, 1862
binomial = "Leiarius marmoratus"
binomial_authority = (Gill, 1870)
binomial2 = "Leiarius pictus"
binomial2_authority = (Müller & Troschel, 1849)
synonyms = "Sciadeoides"
Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1888

"Leiarius" is a genus of catfishes (order Siluriformes) of the family Pimelodidae. It includes two species, "L. marmoratus" and "L. pictus". Both species are ornamental species kept as pets in the aquarium hobby.

Taxonomy

"Leiarius" contains two species, "L. marmoratus" and "L. pictus".cite journal|url=http://silurus.acnatsci.org/ACSI/library/biblios/2007_Ferraris_Catfish_Checklist.pdf|title=Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types|first=Carl J., Jr.|last=Ferraris|journal=Zootaxa|volume=1418|pages=1–628|year=2007|format=PDF] "L. arekaima" and "L. longibarbis" are considered species of "Leiarius" by some sources. [FishBase species|genus=Leiarius|species=arekaima|year=2007|month=June] [FishBase species|genus=Leiarius|species=longibarbis|year=2007|month=June] However, other sources consider these species inquirendae of the genus.

Distribution

"L. marmoratus" is found in the Amazon, Essequibo, and Orinoco River basins.FishBase species|genus=Leiarius|species=marmoratus|year=2007|month=June] On the other hand, "L. pictus" is only found in the Amazon and Orinoco River basins.FishBase species|genus=Leiarius|species=pictus|year=2007|month=June]

Physical description

"L. marmoratus" can reach a little more than 100 centimetres (39 in) TL and has a maximum published weight of about 12 kilograms (26 lb). "L. pictus" grows to 60 cm (24 in) TL.

These two species can be easily confused. The body of "L. pictus" is brown with darker brown spots, with a paler ventral coloring. In juvenile "L. pictus", two parallel, pale bands curve from the dorsal fin down the body towards the caudal fin.cite web|url=http://www.planetcatfish.com/cotm/cotm.php?article_id=146|title=PlanetCatfish::Catfish of the Month::April 2003|publisher=PlanetCatfish.com|date=2007-01-24|accessdate=2007-06-22] In young fish of both species, the maxillary barbels are very long and ringed with black and white.cite book|title=Exotic Tropical Fishes|last=Axelrod|first=Herbert R.|authorlink=Herbert R. Axelrod|coauthors=Emmens, C.; Burgess, W.;Pronek, N.|publisher=T.F.H. Publications|year=1996|isbn=0-87666-543-1] As both of these species grow, their barbels will shorten in proportion to their size, and the caudal fin lobes, which are rounded in the young, become much more pointed. As "L. marmoratus" grows older, it darkens and its dark spots develop into a marbled pattern. Both species have a large, sail-like dorsal fin.

There are no external sexual differences.

Ecology

"L. marmoratus" inhabits riverbeds, deep wells, and lakes. Young or sub-adults form large schools. This species prefers to lay over rock and tree trunks during the day, being more active at sunrise, sunset, and night.

In the aquarium

Both "L. marmoratus" and "L. pictus" are ornamental fish kept as pets in the aquarium hobby.cite web|url=http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/pimelodids.htm|title=Shovelnoses, Pictus, Tigers and More, The Antennae Catfishes, Family Pimelodidae|first=Robert|last=Fenner|accessdate=2007-06-22] They have a voracious appetite and can grow rapidly, and therefore should be kept in a a very large aquarium. These fish are peaceful towards other large fish. Some sort of retreat to allow these fish to hide during the day is required. These fish get very large and are not recommended for the average aquarist.

ee also

*List of freshwater aquarium fish species

References