It was in August of the past year (2010) that we posted a notice on the successful importation of a wild collected lutiono of Hemiloricaria from Peru (http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/hemiloricaria-sp-golden-lutino_de_1209.html). The animal is still living in our facility (May 2011) and has changed its coloration completely as can be seen on the new photos. Moreover, now it is quite certain that it belongs to the species Hemiloricaria castroi. The combination of distinctively banded pectoral and ventral fins and the two rows of denticles along the flanks of the anterior body is unique in the genus Hemiloricaria.
It now seems that the phenomenon of golden wild collected loricariids that return to a normal colour phase under aquarium conditions is relatively wide spread within the family. It is already known for Parancistrus aurantiacus, but also, for example, for Otocinclus vestitus (see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/archiv.php?news_id=291). However, the reason for that drastically change of colour is still unknown.
Hemiloricaria castroi can obtain a length of about 18 cm and is one of the bigger members of the genus. It was described scientifically from the Rio Trombetas in Brazil, but it also obviously appears in Peru.
For our customers: the fish has code 287655 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Lexicon: Hemiloricaria: hemi is ancient Greek and means “half”, loricaria is another genus of whiptail catfish. castroi: dedication name
Suggestion of a common name: Finband whiptail cat
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
| Angaben zum Tier | |
|---|---|
| Herkunft | Peru |
| Verfügbare Größe in cm | 10 - 12 |
