Close-up of underside of head showing same.
Female
Ventral view illustrating scutes
One day old eggs
Two day old eggs
Three day old eggs
Four day old eggs
Five day old eggs
Six day old eggs
Seven day old eggs
One day old fry - lateral view
One day old fry - ventral view
Three day old fry
Male - ventral view
Female - ventral view
Close-up of female genital area
Close-up of male genital area
Male fanning eggs - lateral view
Close-up of dorsal view
Habitat: Rio Magdalena at Ricaurte
Fry, approx 1 month old
Ventral view
 All Fishes Data Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sturisomatichthys aureus (Steindachner, 1900) |
| Common Names | Giant Whiptail Gylden Størmalle (Denmark), Helikoptermal (Sweden), Stoerwels (Germany) |
| Type Locality | Sororia Creek at Jagua de Ibiricó, lower Magdalena basin, Cesar Department, Colombia. |
| Synonym(s) | Loricaria aurea, Sturisoma aureum |
| Etymology | (German)Sturio=Sturgeon + (Greek) soma=body + (Greek) -ichthys=fish. Lorica, Loricare = cuirass of corslet of leather (a suit of armour made of leather). |
| Species Information | |
| Size | 150mm or 5.9" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp. |
| Identification | 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. 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. |
| Habitat Information | |
| Distribution | South America Colombia Caribbean Rivers, Magdalena (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map. |
| IUCN Red List Category | Data Deficient , a distribution map is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2014. |
| pH | 6.6 - 7.6 |
| Temperature | 20.0-26.0°C or 68-78.8°F (Show species within this range) |
| Other Parameters | Soft to medium water hardness. It should also be noted that this fish prefers slightly cooler water and may not thrive in a warmer (over 78°F/26°C) aquarium. |
| Husbandry Information | |
| Breeding Reports | There is no breeding report. |
| Further Information | |
| Reference | Anzeiger der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Wien, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Classe v. 37 (no. 18), pp 206. |
| Registered Keepers | There are 2 registered keepers, view all "my fish" data. |
| Wishlists | Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There is no wish to keep this species. |
| Spotters | Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 6 records of this fish being seen, view them all. |
| More Resources | |
| Forum BBCode | |
 | Look up S. aureus on PlanetCatfish.com |
 | Look up S. aureus on Fishbase |
 | Look up S. aureus on Encyclopedia of Life |
 | Look up S. aureus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility |
| LFS label creator ARN ref:1.4.48.1167 | |
| Last Update | Sat Dec 25, 2010 10:17 am (Species record created: Thu Jan 01, 1970 1:00 am) |