The genus Henonemus
(Stegophilus) are true parasitic catfishes
which live in the gill chambers of larger fishes such
as the larger members of the Pimelodidae family. They
bite into the gill filaments and suck the blood. Diet:
They can be fed worm foods in the aquarium (Lee, Ben
2021). Etymology: The genus name
Henonemus: henós, one, thread, referring
to the single maxillary barbel. The specific name
punctatus: From the Latin punctatus
= 'spotted'.
Common
Name:
None
Synonyms:
Stegophilus punctatus
Family:
Trichomycteridae
Distribution:
South America:Amazon River basin of Brazil, Ecuador and
Peru. Type locality: Canelos.
Size:
8.0cm. (3¼ins)
Temp:
23-26°c (73-79°f.)
p.H.
6.0-7.0.
Reference:
Burgess, W.E.,
1989. An atlas of freshwater and marine catfishes.
A preliminary survey of the Siluriformes. T.F.H. Publications,
Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey (USA). 784 p.
Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes,
recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and
catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628. Lee, Ben. pers comm 2021.
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