All Fishes ⇒ Callichthyidae ⇒ Callichthyinae ⇒ The genus Megalechis

Hop to next section Summary of megalechis
Pronounced MEG ah LEK iss
Etymology Megalechis: From the Greek megas, meaning large and lekis, meaning plate; in allusion to the extreme development of the coracoid bones on the breast of fully developed males.
Sexing In Dianema, Hoplosternum, Lepthoplosternum and Megalechis (but not in Callichthys), the coracoid bones are at least partially exposed and expanded medially. In Dianema, Hoplosternum and Megalechis, these medial expansions of the coracoids are especially developed, covering most of the skin between the pectoral fins and sometimes overlapping at the midline in fully developed mature males (vs. not fully covering the abdominal skin and not overlapping in females). Also, 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 124mm, largest 155mm, average 139mm, most commonly 124mm. All SL.
Species There are 2 "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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