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Scientific Name Pseudohemiodon aff. apithanos   
Common Name Chameleon Whiptail
Pronunciation seu doh hem ee oh don
Etymology Greek, pseudes = false + Greek, hemi = half + Greek, odous = teeth 
Hop to next section Species Information
Size 180mm or 7.1" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification A striking and unmistakable fish. It will change colour to virtually all black when disturbed. Normal colouration is a light grey background with a black line that runs from snout, between the eyes and broadens into a band around the dorsal area. Another band appears along the back and the tail fin is black.
Sexing Mature males will develop their lower lips to allow them to carry egg clutches. Other signs of sexual dimorphism are probably present in mature males but remain, as yet, unreported.
General Remarks Collected in typical whitewater (pH of 7.2, 27°C) of the Rio Itaya south of Iquitos, Peru - this species is typically exported from Iquitos.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution Ecuador / Peru
South America: San Miquel River basin, western Amazon River drainage.
Amazon, Upper Amazon, Putumayo, San Miguel (Ecuador) (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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pH 6.4 - 7.6
Temperature 26.0-28.0°C or 78.8-82.4°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters Water should be fairly soft.
Hop to next section Husbandry Information
Feeding Algae wafers, sinking tablets, frozen bloodworm and frozen brineshrimp are all sought out. User data.
Furniture Large open expanses of sand are required, at least the length of the fish squared. Floating plants will help the fish settle but are not mandatory. Rooted plants will not stay that way for long however. This species is also found in light leaf litter over sand, this may provide a clue as to the 'chameleon' attributes of the fish.
Compatibility Peaceful and not territorial even among it's own kind.
Breeding At least one account is documented, as with all members of this genus, it is a lip-brooder.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Registered Keepers There is but a single registered keeper, view all "my fish" data.
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There are 9 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2017 Oct 05 15:02 (species record created: 2001 Apr 25 00:00)