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Sturisomatichthys leightoni (Regan, 1912)

Image contributors to this species:

Paul Turley (2) Johnny Jensen's Photographic Library (2) Erlend D. Bertelesen (1) Allan James (1)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

This species sports a golden sheen on the sides of the head and is one of the smallest in the genera. The work carried out by Covain et.al. 2016 confines the Sturisoma genera to east of the Andes (cis-Andean), and the Sturisomatichthys genera restricted to the west of the Andes (trans-Andean). Reproduction: See article here. Aquarium Care: Peaceful species which likes a spacious aquarium with cooler water temperatures of between 20-24°c (67-75°f.) and clean, soft and slightly acidic water. Sexual Differences: The males develop pronounced tufts of odontodes on either side of the head and the first dorsal ray and the upper and lower caudal fin rays are elongated. Diet: Spinach, peas, algae disks, tablet foods and sunken flake foods. Etymology: The specific name leightoni: In honour of British soldier Bryan Leighton (1868–1919), who “presented” holotype to the British Museum (Natural History).

Common Name:

Dwarf Royal Twig Catfish

Synonyms:

Sturisoma leightoni, Loricaria leightoni, Oxyloricaria leightoni.

Family:

Loricariidae

Distribution:

South America: Upper Magdalena and Cauca River basins, Colombia. Type locality: Honda, Colombia, 300–400 ft.

Size:

15.0cm. (6ins)

Temp:

20-24°c (67-75°f)

p.H.

6.0-7.0.

IUCN Red List

Sturisomatichthys leightoni has a relatively wide range. Although data are lacking on its population size and trend or the threats that are affecting it, it appears to be relatively common. Hence, it is listed as Least Concern (needs updating IUCN 2016).

Reference:

Baensch, H.A. and R. Riehl 1991 Aquarien atlas. Bd. 3. Melle: Mergus, Verlag für Natur- und Heimtierkunde, Germany. 1104 p.
Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
ScotCat Article: Turley, Paul E; Keeping and Breeding Sturisomatichthys leightoni, the Dwarf Royal Farlowella.
Superina, M., Sanchez-Duarte, P., Mesa-Salazar, L., Lasso, C. & Usma, S. 2016. Sturisomatichthys leightoni. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016.
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.

Family: Loricariidae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails

Sturisomatichthys leightoni

Sturisomatichthys leightoni
Male with eggs

Sturisomatichthys leightoni

Sturisomatichthys leightoni
Head View

Sturisomatichthys leightoni
Collected in a tributary to the Rio Magdalena

Sturisomatichthys leightoni

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