Pseudostegophilus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pseudostegophilus |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Trichomycteridae |
| Subfamily: | Stegophilinae |
| Genus: | Pseudostegophilus Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889 |
| Type species | |
| Stegophilus nemurus Günther, 1869
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Pseudostegophilus is a group of small catfishes. They are often called pencil catfishes because of their slim, long bodies. These fish live in the rivers of warm, tropical South America. They have a very special way of finding food. They are known to gently feed on the scales and mucus (a protective slime) of other fish.
Contents
Types of Pseudostegophilus
There are currently two types, or species, of Pseudostegophilus fish that scientists know about:
- Pseudostegophilus haemomyzon (discovered by Myers in 1942)
- Pseudostegophilus nemurus (discovered by Günther in 1869)
Where They Live
P. haemomyzon comes from the Orinoco River basin, which is a large river system in Venezuela. P. nemurus is found in the huge Amazon basin in countries like Brazil and Peru.
How Big They Get
P. haemomyzon can grow to be about 5.7 centimetres (2.2 inches) long. This measurement is called "standard length" (SL), which means it's measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail. P. nemurus can grow a bit larger, up to about 15.0 centimetres (5.9 inches) long. This is measured as "total length" (TL), which includes the tail fin.
Their Unique Feeding Habits
P. nemurus is known to attach itself to the gills and fins of fish that are not well, or have passed away. This helps them get their food. They are very specialized in their diet.
See also
In Spanish: Pseudostegophilus para niños
