Recently (December 2023) the genus Sturisoma was revised and on this occasion four new species were described. We have now been able to import Sturisoma from Brazil and according to the identification key of the revision we came to the conclusion that it must be one of the newly described species, namely Sturisoma ghazziae. This species originates from the Rio Araguaia. However, as we do not know the exact collecting site of our imports, we have added a “cf.” (meaning “compare with”) in the species name as a precaution.
Typical for the newly imported species is the course of the lateral bands, which converge in the area of the dorsal fin. Furthermore, the species has a black underside of the snout (the rostrum), which we have only seen in this expression in Sturisoma nigrirostrum from Peru so far. According to the first description, Sturisoma ghazziae grows to a maximum length of 24 cm (standard length without caudal fin). Our specimens are just 10-12 cm long and sexually differentiated; the species therefore appears to become sexually mature early. Females can be recognized by their proportionally less developed fins. Fully grown males of Sturisoma also develop a whisker, as does S. ghazziae.
We are delighted to be able to offer this new, attractive representative of the popular genus Sturisoma. So far, care has not caused any difficulties and corresponds to the familiar pattern for this genus, which is well known in the hobby.
For our customers: the fish have code 294753 on our stock list. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
Literature: Londoño-Burbano, A. & M. R. Britto (2023): Taxonomic revision of Sturisoma Swainson, 1838 (Loricariidae: Loricariinae), with descriptions of four new species. Journal of Fish Biology v. 104 (no. 4): 989-1041
