AquaticRepublic.com - Scoloplax dolicholophia (Scoloplacidae) All Fishes

All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Scoloplax dolicholophia** Schaefer, Weitzman & Britski, 1989
Common Name
Type Locality	Tributary of Rio Tarumãzinho approximately 45 kilometers north of Manaus, Brazil, 2°42'S, 60°03'W.
Pronunciation	SKOW low plax
Etymology	Scoloplax: From the Greek skolos, meaning thorn and plax, meaning plate; in reference to the moveable dermal bone on top of snout (rostral plate) that is studded with large integumentary teeth. From the Greek dolicho for long, and lophia for crest or ridge, here used in reference to the long pterotic-supracleithral crest or ridge in this species. (gender feminine).
Species Information
Size	12mm or 0.5" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	Species of the neotropical family Scoloplacidae are distinguished from other Siluriformes by the presence of a conspicuous shield-shaped rostral plate bearing numerous large and recurved odontodes. Scoloplacidae is a monogeneric family endemic to South America and known from the Amazon, Paraguay, and Parana basins. The worlds smallest known catfish are from this genus, the smallest is most likely S. dolicholophia. Body color dark brown. Head and cheek region uniformly dark brown. Minute to moderately sized dark brown chromatophores diffusely scattered over dorsal surfaces of trunk.Trunk with four dark brown pigment saddles. Sides of trunk with red midlateral pigments from middle of pectoral fin in specimens from Rio Unini.
Sexing	The males only grow up to 15 mm TL, the females can grow a little bit bigger and become clearly thicker.
General Remarks	Within the aquarium trade, this group of fishes has been almost totally unknown. Perhaps single specimens are sometimes imported together with other fishes (for example cardinal tetras). The tiny adult size and secretive nature of these fishes are to blame for their relative obscurity.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Negro River basin. Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes), Negro (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2018.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	The best way to feed these fish is with small live food such as Cyclops or Artemia. User data.
Furniture	In their wild habitat you can most often find these dwarfs between fallen leaves that accumulate on along the river banks. Sometimes, for example after rainfall, you can find these fishes in free water.
Compatibility	Their way of life is similar to that of the banjo catfishes, must be kept with timid small fishes. The smaller, blackwater pencilfishes and hatchetfishes would be ideal tankmates.
Breeding	Unreported.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia v. 141, pp 196, Figs. 9-11.
Registered Keepers	There is no registered keeper.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There is no wish to keep this species.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There is no record of this fish being seen.
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	Look up S. dolicholophia on PlanetCatfish.com
	Look up S. dolicholophia on Fishbase
	Look up S. dolicholophia on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up S. dolicholophia on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.25.127.363
Last Update	2025 Jan 01 12:23 (species record created: 2005 Jul 10 00:00)