With almost 150 accepted species, the genus Hypostomus (in the broadest sense) is the most species-rich group of loricariid catfish. Unfortunately, there is no current revision of all species and so the determination of Hypostomus is usually a laborious affair, in the end often only a questionable result.
Hypostomus rhantos is pleasingly easy to recognize. The L-number 242 was applied on it before its scientific description. The fine dot pattern and the orange tending coloration make the species almost unmistakable; only Hypostomus micromaculatus from Surinam has similarly small dots.
Hypostomus rhantos is quite attractive in color and certainly one of the most beautiful Hypostomus species. It comes from the upper Orinoco in Venezuela, becomes about 20 cm long and is a typical Aufwuchs eater. As by-catch we received some Hypostomus sp. L192 and a Hypostomus species from the Cochliodon group, which is almost identical in color to L192, but has a completely different dentition; it is probably Hypostomus (Cochliodon) sculpodon or an undescribed species.
For our customers: Hypostomus rhantos has code 26480-L 242-2 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesalers.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
