| Family: |
Crenuchidae (South American darters), subfamily: Characidiinae |
| Max. size: |
8.55 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
South America: upper Kuribrong River (Potaro-Essequibo drainage), upstream of Amaila Falls in Guyana. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal soft rays: 8-8; Vertebrae: 35-35. It is distinguished from most congeners by lacking scales on the isthmus and chest, and by having 8-13 premaxillary teeth, the first four pectoral-fin rays noticeably thickened, 34-36 lateral line scales, and branchiostegal membranes that are free from each other across the isthmus. It differs further by its large adult body size (max. = 85.5 mm SL), and by having a tan body base color with a dark midlateral stripe that originates on the upper lip and continues posteriorly to the base of the middle caudal-fin rays, a gray to dark-black dorsum with two horizontal rows of small light spots formed by aligned light-colored scale centers, a dark humeral spot, up to 15 irregular black bars that extend from dorsum to lower sides, a light opercular margin, and fins that are uniformly dusky. Several cranial, vertebral, and swim bladder characteristics make this species distinct from other congeners (Ref. 94269) |
| Biology: |
Collected from each of five separate rapids habitats encountered in the upper Kuribrong watershed. Inhabits shallow sandstone bedrock rapids with abundant attached macrophytes, including a representative of the Podostemaceae, a representative of the Eriocaulaceae
(Rhondonanthus capillaceus), and a third species with long grass-like leaves (Ref. 94269). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 01 November 2023 (B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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