Kingdom Animalia Order Siluriformes Scientific name Iheringichthys Rank Genus | Phylum Chordata Family Pimelodidae Higher classification Pimelodidae | |
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Similar Pimelodidae, Catfish, Megalonema, Platysilurus, Steindachneridion | ||
Iheringichthys is a small genus of long-whiskered catfish native to South America.
Contents
Species
There are currently three recognized species in this genus:
Distribution
All species of Iheringichthys are distributed in the Paraná River basin.
Appearance and anatomy
Iheringichthys species have a narrow, small mouth positioned to point downwards.
Ecology
I. labrosus has been studied to feed off of the bottom, mainly at dawn and during daytime hours. Main items in the diet of I. labrosus are aquatic insects (mainly Chironomidae) and mollusks (mainly Bivalvia). Studies on I. labrosus demonstrates that this species is non-migratory and does not exhibit any parental care. These fish reproduce all year, with spawning peaking from February to May.
Relationship to humans
I. labrosus is a secondary commercial fish species in the Itaipu Reservoir. With the end of the trophic upsurge period in the Itaipu Reservoir, secondary species may become important resources for the commercial fishery, including I. labrosus. It is an important fish species in other reservoirs of the basin, especially Promissão and Água Vermelha Reservoirs. It is also an important sport fish in the sand beaches (“mandizeiros”) fishery along the upper Paraná River channel and main tributaries.