Heptapterus qenqo Aguilera, Mirande & Azpelicueta, 2011

Family:  Heptapteridae (Three-barbeled catfishes)
Max. size:  21.3 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; freshwater
Distribution:  South America: Argentina.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 6-6; Anal soft rays: 11-13; Vertebrae: 51-52. This species is distinguished by the following characters: a small serrae on the anterior proximal margin of first pectoral-fin ray; anal-fin rays iv-v, 11-13 (15-17 total); adipose-fin base relatively short (40.9-47.4% SL); small eyes (7.4-14.2% HL); adipose fin is confluent to caudal fin; maxillary barbel not reaching pectoral-fin base in adults and reaching or scarcely surpassing first pectoral-fin ray in small juveniles (Ref. 86258).
Biology:  This species inhabits well-oxygenated rivers and streams, with gravel substratum and moderate to rapid flowing waters. Individuals usually shelter under large rocks. Apparently solitary and only a few specimens are usually captured per collecting site (Ref. 86258).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Type locality, Tucumán, Trancas, Río Rearte, Río Salí Basin, CI-FML 3954. (holotype of Heptapterus qenqo, 18.35 cm SL). Endemic and widely distributed in mountain to piedmont streams of the endorheic Río Salí Basin, Tucumán (Ref. 86258).


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