Latest news with #NeotropicalIchthyology
Miami Herald
08-04-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Armored' river creature — known to sting fishermen — discovered as new species
As night fell across northern Brazil, fishermen peered into the 'tea-colored' river water searching for an 'armored' creature with a 'powerful toxin.' Eventually they spotted and caught it, carefully avoiding its 'painful' sting. They didn't know it, but they'd just discovered a new species. A team of scientists visited several rivers in the State of Pará in 2023 as part of a crowdfunded project to document the region's fish diversity. Some of these fish were known from the aquarium trade but had never been formally identified or studied in their natural habitats, according to a study published April 7 in the peer-reviewed journal Neotropical Ichthyology. During the surveys, researchers went night fishing with local fishermen and noticed some wild catfish that looked similar to known aquarium pets, the study said. They took a closer look at the fish and realized they'd discovered a new species: Hoplisoma noxium, or the noxium armored catfish. Noxium armored catfish can reach about 2.5 inches in length, the study said. They have plate-like scales forming a 'mosaic-like pattern.' Their heads are 'roughly triangular' with a 'small' mouth and bumpy lips. Photos show the color variation of the new species. Wild-caught fish were usually 'light brownish orange,' while aquarium-bred fish were a paler 'greyish yellow.' Almost all of the fish had a 'dark mask-like blotch' across their eyes and more blotches down their sides. Noxium armored catfish live in shallow rivers with 'relatively clear tea-colored water,' the study said. They were only seen at night 'in small numbers' sitting 'stationary along the banks.' Fishermen told researchers that the new species 'must be separated from any other fish species just after capture, otherwise they can rapidly kill (the other fish), making the transport water milky and foamy on the surface.' Fishermen also reported 'getting 'stung'' by the new species, a 'painful' experience 'eventually causing minor allergic/inflammatory processes.' Researchers said they named the new species after the Latin word for 'injury' or 'damage' because of its 'powerful toxin.' In the aquarium trade, the new species has been sold under a variety of names and labels. So far, noxium armored catfish have only been found at three sites in the State of Pará, a region of northern Brazil, the study said. The new species was identified by its body plates, color pattern, skeleton and other subtle physical features, the study said. Researchers did not provide a DNA analysis of the new species. The research team included Luiz Fernando Caserta Tencatt, Willian Massaharu Ohara, Vandergleison de Carvalho, Steven Grant and Marcelo Britto. The team also discovered a second new species of armored catfish.
Miami Herald
12-02-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Armored' river creature found in pet aquariums worldwide turns out to be new species
In a river of northeastern Brazil, an 'armored' creature with 'large' eyes paused to rest against a rock. The maze-like pattern that helped camouflage it in the wild also made it a popular aquarium pet worldwide. Yet, when scientists took a closer look at the distinctive animal, it turned out to be a new species. Researchers visited the Xingu River several times between 1994 and 2017 to survey wildlife, according to a study published Feb. 10 in the peer-reviewed journal Neotropical Ichthyology. During their visits, the team worked with local fishermen to collect dozens of catfish 'well known from the ornamental fish trade,' the study said. These catfish had never been scientifically classified, despite being popular aquarium pets for decades. Looking at the fish in a laboratory, researchers quickly realized they'd discovered a new species: Hypancistrus seideli, or Seidel's armored catfish. Seidel's armored catfish are considered 'medium-sized,' reaching about 6 inches in length, the study said. They have 'short and deep' bodies covered in armor-like 'plates.' Their heads have 'large' eyes, bumpy lips and teeth with 'bright red' crowns. The most distinctive feature of the new species is the wavy, maze-like pattern covering its body. Photos show the catfish's 'astonishing array of color patterns.' The fish vary in hue — ranging from pinkish to orangish to cream — and in the density of their typically brown markings. Seidel's armored catfish live in a wide range of rocky habitats at various depths up to 130 feet, researchers said. A photo shows one catfish in its natural habitat. Previously, the new species had been known by several informal names, often including the word 'tiger,' the study said. Researchers said they named the new species after Ingo Seidel, 'a renowned German aquarist whose decades of dedication to the care, understanding, and breeding of Hypancistrus species in captivity have made him a global authority … This species is named in recognition of his unwavering passion and invaluable contributions to the field.' Seidel's armored catfish have a 'relatively large distribution' throughout Xingu River in northern Brazil, the study said. Some catfish released by 'aquarium fish traders' a few years ago have grown into a thriving population, showing 'their adaptability.' The new species was mainly identified by its color pattern. The research team included Leandro Melo de Sousa, Erilda Barbosa de Sousa, Renildo de Oliveira Ribeiro, Mark Sabaj, Jansen Zuanon and Lúcia Rapp Py-Daniel. The team also discovered a second new species of armored catfish.
Miami Herald
10-02-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Shy' aquarium pet — with ‘bright red' teeth — discovered as new species from Brazil
Deep below the surface of a river in northern Brazil, a 'shy' creature tucked its 'armored' body into a rocky crevice. Divers spotted the patterned animal and recognized it as a popular aquarium pet. It also turned out to be a new species. Scientists visited the Xingu River several times between 2004 and 2017 to survey wildlife, according to a study published Feb. 10 in the peer-reviewed journal Neotropical Ichthyology. One of the areas they focused on was 'the impact zone' of a hydroelectric power plant. During the visits, researchers worked with local fishermen to collect dozens of catfish 'well known from the ornamental fish trade,' the study said. These fish had never been scientifically classified, despite being popular aquarium pets for decades. Looking at the catfish, researchers quickly realized they'd discovered a new species: Hypancistrus yudja, or the Yudjá armored catfish. Yudjá armored catfish are considered 'small,' reaching up to 2.5 inches in length, the study said. They have 'short and deep' bodies covered in armor-like 'plates.' Their heads have 'small' eyes and 'thin, delicate' teeth with 'bright red' tops. Photos show the 'unique color pattern' of the new species. Its markings vary but generally include 'relatively large brown blotches' on a 'light tan background.' In the wild, Yudjá armored catfish live about 50 feet down in rocky crevices, the study said. Commercial fishermen caught them 'individually by hand during diving sessions aided by air compressors or scuba equipment.' In captivity, the new species is 'fairly shy' and 'remains secluded in caves for most of the day,' researchers said. 'Expert aquarium hobbyists have successfully bred this species.' Yudjá armored catfish are likely critically endangered and 'at high risk of extinction,' the study said. They live only in a small stretch of the Xingu River in Pará State of northern Brazil and face 'severe environmental degradation' due to a hydroelectric complex, 'natural flood and drought cycles, and exploitation for the ornamental fish trade.' Previously, the new species has been known by several informal names, often including the word 'zebra.' Researchers said they named the new species after the indigenous Yudjá, or Juruna, people because it lives in their territory and has been a source of income for them. 'Both the Yudjá people and (the new species) are struggling to survive the environmental impacts of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Complex … and their fate is connected and deeply threatened,' the study said. The research team included Leandro Melo de Sousa, Erilda Barbosa de Sousa, Renildo de Oliveira Ribeiro, Mark Sabaj, Jansen Zuanon and Lúcia Rapp Py-Daniel. The team also discovered a second new species of armored catfish.
