All Fishes ⇒ Callichthyidae ⇒ Callichthyinae ⇒ The genus Hoplosternum

Hop to next section Summary of hoplosternum
Pronounced hop low STERN um
Etymology Hoplosternum: From the Greek hoplon, meaning shield and sternum, meaning breast; in reference to the prominent coracoid bones on the breast.
Sexing In Dianema, Hoplosternum and Megalechis (but not in Callichthys), medial expansions of the coracoid bones are especially developed, covering most of the skin between the pectoral fins and sometimes overlapping in the midline in fully developed mature males (vs. not fully covering the abdominal skin and not overlapping in females). Mature males of Callichthys, Dianema, Hoplosternum, Lepthoplosternum, and Megalechis have a thick adipose body on the ventral surface of the pectoral fin. Mature females of Dianema, Hoplosternum and Megalechis have a small fold of skin on the external face of the leading pelvic-fin ray.
Size Smallest 77mm, largest 240mm, average 137mm, most commonly 240mm. All SL.
Species There are 3 "species" in the database
New spp. / time
1750 1770 1790 1810 1830 1850 1870 1890 1910 1930 1950 1970 1990 2010 
Distribution

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