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Striped rubbernose (Chaetostoma thomsoni) — Loricariidae

Striped rubbernose

Chaetostoma thomsoni
Family: Loricariidae

The Striped rubbernose (Chaetostoma thomsoni) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Colombia

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Description

The Striped rubbernose is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of the Magdalena basin in Colombia. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated, brown body and a broad sucker mouth with a scaleless belly, ideal for clinging in strong current. With its mouth it rasps algae and growth from rocks. The fish is harmless to humans and is known from the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Striped rubbernose?

The Striped rubbernose has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Striped rubbernose live?

The Striped rubbernose lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America: Colombia

How big does the Striped rubbernose get?

The Striped rubbernose grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Striped rubbernose dangerous to humans?

No, the Striped rubbernose is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Striped rubbernose (Chaetostoma thomsoni) — Loricariidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Ictiologia Universidad Católica de Oriente (CC BY 2.0)
Striped rubbernose (Chaetostoma thomsoni) — Loricariidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Dayana Muñoz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Striped rubbernose (Chaetostoma thomsoni) — Loricariidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — J. Green (Public domain)
Striped rubbernose (Chaetostoma thomsoni) — Loricariidae — 5
Mark Allen (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — NHMUK
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Striped rubbernose sourced
Scientific name
Chaetostoma thomsoni
Family
Loricariidae
Other names
Striped rubbernose plecostomus sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
15.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Colombia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Algae and plant material inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Chaetostoma

More from the family Loricariidae

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