 Summary of scoloplax | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronounced | 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sexing | Larger male specimens with large, fleshy tissue at ventral opening. Females without tissue sack. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Breeding | Unreported in the aquarium. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Size | Smallest 12mm, largest 20mm, average 15mm, most commonly 16mm. All SL. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Species | There are 6 "species" in the database | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New spp. / time |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distribution | Login to view the map. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Genus Thumbnails | |
|---|---|
| |
/siluriformes/scoloplacidae/scoloplax/baskini/1.jpg "Scoloplax baskini - Click for species page")
/siluriformes/scoloplacidae/scoloplax/dolicholophia/1.jpg "Scoloplax dolicholophia - Click for species page")
/siluriformes/scoloplacidae/scoloplax/empousa/1.jpg "Scoloplax empousa - Click for species page")