Leiarius | |
---|---|
Leiarius pictus | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Siluriformes |
Family: | Pimelodidae |
Genus: |
Leiarius Bleeker, 1862 |
Type species | |
Arius? longibarbis
Castelnau, 1855
| |
Synonyms | |
Leiarius is a genus of long-whiskered catfishes native to South America. Most of the genus' species are found in the aquarium hobby as ornamental fish.
There are currently four recognized species in this genus: [1]
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). [2] L. pictus grows to 60 cm (24 in) TL. [3]
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. [4] In young fish of both species, the maxillary barbels are very long and ringed with black and white. [5] 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. [4] [5] As L. marmoratus grows older, it darkens and its dark spots develop into a marbled pattern. [5] Both species have a large, sail-like dorsal fin. [4] [5]
There are no external sexual differences. [4]
L. marmoratus is found in the Amazon, Essequibo, and Orinoco River basins. [2] On the other hand, L. pictus is only found in the Amazon and Orinoco River basins. [3]
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. [2]
Both L. marmoratus and L. pictus are ornamental fish kept as pets in the aquarium hobby. [6] They have a voracious appetite and can grow rapidly, and therefore should be kept in a very large aquarium. These fish are peaceful towards other large fish. [5] Some sort of retreat to allow these fish to hide during the day is required. [4] [5] These fish get very large and are not recommended for the average aquarist. [4]
Leiarius | |
---|---|
Leiarius pictus | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Siluriformes |
Family: | Pimelodidae |
Genus: |
Leiarius Bleeker, 1862 |
Type species | |
Arius? longibarbis
Castelnau, 1855
| |
Synonyms | |
Leiarius is a genus of long-whiskered catfishes native to South America. Most of the genus' species are found in the aquarium hobby as ornamental fish.
There are currently four recognized species in this genus: [1]
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). [2] L. pictus grows to 60 cm (24 in) TL. [3]
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. [4] In young fish of both species, the maxillary barbels are very long and ringed with black and white. [5] 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. [4] [5] As L. marmoratus grows older, it darkens and its dark spots develop into a marbled pattern. [5] Both species have a large, sail-like dorsal fin. [4] [5]
There are no external sexual differences. [4]
L. marmoratus is found in the Amazon, Essequibo, and Orinoco River basins. [2] On the other hand, L. pictus is only found in the Amazon and Orinoco River basins. [3]
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. [2]
Both L. marmoratus and L. pictus are ornamental fish kept as pets in the aquarium hobby. [6] They have a voracious appetite and can grow rapidly, and therefore should be kept in a very large aquarium. These fish are peaceful towards other large fish. [5] Some sort of retreat to allow these fish to hide during the day is required. [4] [5] These fish get very large and are not recommended for the average aquarist. [4]