Bunocephalus coracoideus

Bunocephalus coracoideus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Division: Teleostei
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Aspredinidae
Genus: Bunocephalus
Species:
B. coracoideus
Binomial name
Bunocephalus coracoideus
(Cope, 1874)

Bunocephalus coracoideus, the guitarrito, is a species of banjo catfish found in the Amazon River basin. It occurs in Bolivia, Brazil, Peru and Uruguay where it is found in ponds and creeks that contain a large quantity of plant debris. Its diet varies, and may include organic debris from the bottom.

In the aquarium

The species is quite popular in the aquarium trade. Both male and female reach a maximum length of 11 centimeters (4.3 in) SL.

Behavior

This fish is largely nocturnal. It is a bottom-feeder, consuming debris and smaller fish. The guitarrito lays up to 4,000 eggs into sandy substrate.

Parasites

The guitarrito is known to be infected by a single species of myxozoan, Myxobolus braziliensis, which uses the guitarrito as an host.

References

  1. 1 2 "Native Fish Species Of Bolivia". WorldAtlas. April 25, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Bunocephalus coracoideus". FishBase. December 2011 version.