Trichomycterus alterus (Marini, Nichols & La Monte, 1933)

Family:  Trichomycteridae (Pencil or parasitic catfishes), subfamily: Trichomycterinae
Max. size:  9.25 cm NG (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  South America: Humahuaca (Jujuy), Los Sauces River, Valle Guanchin (La Rioja) in Argentina.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-13; Anal soft rays: 9-10
Biology:  Collected from mountainous rivers and streams generally 0.5-4 m wide and 0.2-1 m deep, with clear waters running over sandy and rock-pebble substrates, at elevations of about 500-2,500 m. Stomach contents include dipteran larvae (Chironomidae and Ceratopogonidae), coleopterans (Elmidae), and ostracod crustaceans (Ref. 43677).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 10 November 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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