Aspredinichthys tibicen (Valenciennes, 1840)
Tenbarbed banjo
Aspredinichthys tibicen
photo by FAO

Family:  Aspredinidae (Banjo catfishes), subfamily: Aspredininae
Max. size:  24.3 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish
Distribution:  Central and South America: lower portions of coastal rivers and in coastal waters from Venezuela to northern Brazil.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Benthic fish occurring mainly in brackish water. Found on soft bottoms of shallow turbid water near river mouths. The species has a peculiar mode of egg incubation wherein the female banjo catfish carries the eggs firmly attached to the underside of the body. This seems to be an adaptation to facilitate the oxygenation of the eggs in muddy environments. Reproduction takes place in March and June (Ref. 35381).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 August 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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