Leporacanthicus

Taxobox
name = "Leporacanthicus"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Siluriformes
familia = Loricariidae
subfamilia = Hypostominae
tribus = Ancistrini
genus = "Leporacanthicus"
genus_authority = Isbrücker & Nijssen, 1989
type_species = "Leporacanthicus galaxias"
type_species_authority = Isbrücker & Nijssen, 1989
subdivision_ranks = Binomial name
subdivision =
"Leporacanthicus galaxias"
Isbrücker & Nijssen, 1989
"Leporacanthicus heterodon"
Isbrücker & Nijssen, 1989
"Leporacanthicus joselimai"
Isbrücker & Nijssen, 1989
"Leporacanthicus triactis"
Isbrücker, Nijssen & Nico, 1992

"Leporacanthicus" is a genus of catfishes (order Siluriformes) of the family Loricariidae. It includes four species, "L. galaxias", "L. heterodon", "L. joselimai", and "L. triactis".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]

Distribution

The genus has been reported from the upper Orinoco, the eastern, north-flowing Amazon tributaries, and the Tocantins River.cite web|url=http://www.auburn.edu/academic/science_math/res_area/loricariid/fish_key/Acanth/lepor.html|title="Leporacanthicus" Isbrücker and Nijssen, 1989|first=Jonathan W.|last=Armbruster|accessdate=2007-07-24] "L. galaxias" originates from the southern tributaries of the middle and lower Amazon, including Madeira, Tocantins and Guamá Rivers, as well as in the Ventuari River basin of the upper Orinoco drainage. "L. heterodon" inhabits the Xingu River basin in Brazil. "L. joselimai" is known from the Tapajós River basin in Brazil. "L. triactis" is distributed in the upper Orinoco River basin.

Description

"Leporacanthicus" species have large teeth in the upper jaw; usually there are only two teeth on each premaxilla, the inner teeth very long. Species of "Leporacanthicus" are medium-sized loricariids with a narrow, pointed head, round lower lip, and fleshy tentacles on the upper lip. The colour pattern is generally dark gray to black with white to golden spots or a light gray with medium-sized black spots. The abdomen is naked (scaleless and unplated). The caudal fin is straight and angled posteroventrally. "L. galaxias" are basic black with many white spots. "L. triactis" are brown, gray, or charcoal black, save for vivid orange or yellow blotches on the spines of the non-paired fins.

"L. joselimai" grows to about 9.8 centimetres (3.9 in) SL and "L. heterodon" to about 10.3 cm (4.1 in) SL, while "L. galaxias" grows to about 21.1 cm (8.3 in) SL and "L. triactis" to about 24.7 cm (9.7 in) SL.FishBase species|genus=Leporacanthicus|species=galaxias|year=2007|month=July] FishBase species|genus=Leporacanthicus|species=heterodon|year=2007|month=July] FishBase species|genus=Leporacanthicus|species=joselimai|year=2007|month=July] FishBase species|genus=Leporacanthicus|species=triactis|year=2007|month=July]

Ecology

"L. triactis" has been found in deep holes in mud banks. "L. galaxias" originates from fast flowing rapids.cite web|url=http://www.planetcatfish.com/cotm/cotm.php?article_id=67|title=PlanetCatfish::Catfish of the Month::October 1998|publisher=PlanetCatfish.com|date=2005-11-26|accessdate=2007-07-24]

It has been hypothesized that the enlarged teeth of the upper jaw are used to remove snails from their shells. This has been observed in "L. joselimai", but specimens from Venezuela seem to have a lot of caddis flies as well as freshwater sponges in the gut.

"L. triactis" is a cave spawner.cite web|url=http://www.planetcatfish.com/cotm/cotm.php?article_id=140|title=PlanetCatfish::Catfish of the Month::October 2002|publisher=PlanetCatfish.com|date=2005-07-26|accessdate=2007-07-24]

In the aquarium

"Leporacanthicus" are called vampire plecostomus in the aquarium literature in reference to their large teeth that are characteristic of the genus. These species should be fed invertebrate matter such as mollusks or crustaceans; however, they will accept other foods as well. These fish are territorial species. "L. galaxias" originates from oxygen-rich environments and should be provided with such a habitat in the aquarium. This fish is not often seen during the day. Breeding has been accomplished for "L. galaxias" but not documented.

References