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Planquette's lithoxus (Lithoxus planquettei) — Loricariidae

Planquette's lithoxus

Lithoxus planquettei
Family: Loricariidae

The Planquette's lithoxus (Lithoxus planquettei) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Planquette's lithoxus is a small armoured catfish (family Loricariidae) from northeastern South America. The species reaches only about 8 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated body and a sucker mouth on the underside. With it the fish clings to stones in fast-flowing, oxygen-rich brooks and rivers. It grazes over rock surfaces for algal growth and small invertebrates such as insect larvae. The species is mainly nocturnal and lives concealed among stones. It has no commercial value and is completely harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Planquette's lithoxus?

The Planquette's lithoxus has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Planquette's lithoxus live?

The Planquette's lithoxus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Planquette's lithoxus get?

The Planquette's lithoxus grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Planquette's lithoxus dangerous to humans?

No, the Planquette's lithoxus is harmless to humans.

Is the Planquette's lithoxus edible?

The Planquette's lithoxus is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Guyaanse harnasmeerval sourced
English name
Planquette's lithoxus sourced
Scientific name
Lithoxus planquettei
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
8.0 sourced
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Lithoxus

More from the family Loricariidae

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