Fishes: Agamyxis Pectinifrons

Monday, 23 July 2012

Agamyxis Pectinifrons

The spotted talking catfish, spotted raphael catfish or whitebarred catfish (Agamyxis pectinifrons) is a species of thorny catfish found in the Amazon basin where it has been recorded from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia and Peru. This species grows to a length of 15 centimetres (5.9 in) SL.A. pectinifrons is a popular aquarium fish and is often sold as the spotted raphael catfish or spotted talking catfish. It is recommended, due to the spines on this fish which would tear up a conventional net, that it is preferable to move these fish by hand. These fish need a dark refuge to hide in during the day.Doradids occur in most South American basins, though they are absent from the Pacific coast drainages and from coastal drainages south of the Río de la Plata. 70% of the valid species occur in the Amazon basin; the Orinoco basin harbors about 22 species and ranks second in species richness. On the other hand, only two species of doradids have been described from Brazilian eastern coastal basins: Wertheimeria maculata from the Jequitinhonha and Pardo rivers and Kalyptodoras bahiensis from the Paraguaçu River.