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Scientific NameSturisoma nigrirostrum    Fowler, 1940
Common NamesBlacksnouted Whiptail
Nadelstreifen-Bartwels (Germany), Sortsnudet Størsugemalle (Denmark), Whiptail Pleco
Type LocalityContamana, Río Ucayali, Peru.
Synonym(s)Sturiosoma nigrirostrum
EtymologyGerman, sturio = sturgeon, + Greek, soma = body. Lorica, Loricare = cuirass of corslet of leather (a suit of armour made of leather).
Hop to next section Species Information
Size220mm or 8.7" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
IdentificationSturisoma and Sturisomatichthys can be difficult to tell apart. Older descriptions of the genera emphasized the length of the snout (elongated in Sturisoma), but this trait is not reliable across species. Recent analyses allow discrimination based on the abdominal plates, fin colors and lateral plates: Sturisoma has its central abdominal plates arranged in three clearly-defined longitudinal series; all fins (except sometimes pectoral fins) lack dark spots; and 20–21 lateral plates in median series. Sturisomatichthys has its central abdominal plates less organized, not arranged in clearly-defined longitudinal series; dark spots usually present on one or more of the dorsal-, pectoral-, pelvic, or anal-fins; and 15–18 lateral plates in median series. Furthermore, to date all Sturisoma are cis-Andean; most (but not all) Sturisomatichthys are trans-Andean.

Sturisoma and Sturisomatichthys can be difficult to tell apart. Older descriptions of the genera emphasized the length of the snout (elongated in Sturisoma), but this trait is not reliable across species. Recent analyses allow discrimination based on the abdominal plates, fin colors and lateral plates: Sturisoma has its central abdominal plates arranged in three clearly-defined longitudinal series; all fins (except sometimes pectoral fins) lack dark spots; and 20–21 lateral plates in median series. Sturisomatichthys has its central abdominal plates less organized, not arranged in clearly-defined longitudinal series; dark spots usually present on one or more of the dorsal-, pectoral-, pelvic, or anal-fins; and 15–18 lateral plates in median series. Furthermore, to date all Sturisoma are cis-Andean; most (but not all) Sturisomatichthys are trans-Andean.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
DistributionSouth America
Amazon, Upper Amazon, Marañón, Ucayali (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon, Upper Amazon, Yavari (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category
Least Concern
, a distribution map is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2014.
pH6.0 - 7.0
Temperature24.0-28.0°C or 75.2-82.4°F (Show species within this range)
Other ParametersNatural habitat is soft water.
Hop to next section Husbandry Information
Breeding ReportsThere is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
ReferenceProceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia v. 91 (for 1939), pp 249, Figs. 48-50.
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Look up on Encyclopedia of LifeLook up S. nigrirostrum on Encyclopedia of Life
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Sturisoma nigrirostrum QR codeLFS label creator
ARN ref:1.4.102.444
Last UpdateSat Dec 25, 2010 10:17 am (Species record created: Thu Jan 01, 1970 1:00 am)