Acestridium dichromum
Green Whiptail, Grüner Zwergnadelwels (DE)
Etymology
Acestridium: from the Greek akéstra (Gr. ἀκέστρα), meaning ‘darning needle’ and the Latin diminutive -idium, connoting resemblance. Possibly in reference to the presence of long spines on the snout of type species A. discus.
dichromum: from the Latin dis, meaning ‘in two’, and Greek chrṓma (Gr. χρῶμα), meaning ‘skin, colour’. Probably in reference to this species’ ability to change its body colour from brown to green.
Classification
Order: Siluriformes Family: Loricariidae
Distribution
Known only from the upper rio Negro basin in Brazil, upper Orinoco in Venezuela and drainages between them, including the Casiquiare Canal.
Type locality is ‘Pozo Lucas, tributary of Río Orinoco, 7 kilometers south of San Fernando de Atabapo, 4°02’N, 67°42’W, Orinoco Basin, Amazonas State, Venezuela’.
Maximum Standard Length
55 – 65 mm.
References
- Ferraris, C. J., Jr., 2007 - Zootaxa 1418: 1-628
Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. - Haseman, J. D., 1911 - Annals of the Carnegie Museum 7 (3-4; 17): 315-328
Descriptions of some new species of fishes and miscellaneous notes on others obtained during the expedition of the Carnegie Museum to central South America.
