Pablo Lehmann and Roberto Reis have described a new species of callichthyid catfish from South America in the journal Copeia.
The new fish, which has been named Callichthys serralabium, is a member of the Callicthyidae family, which includes around 176 species in eight several genera, including: Callichthys, Dianema, Corydoras, Aspidoras, Brochis, Megalechis, Hoplosternum and Lepthoplosternum.
The fish was found in the drainage of the upper Orinoco River, near La Esmerelda, Venezuela and in the headwaters of the Rio Negro in both Brazil and Venezuela.
Unlike other members of the genus Callichthys, C. serralabium has a serrated lower lip (hence the name serralabium), diffuse blotches on the flanks in adults, 8-9 branched pectoral rays, a longer anal spine and no central prenasal plate.
The description includes a key to the genus to aid the identification of this species from its relatives.
More information: Lehmann, PA and Reis, RE. (2004) - Callichthys serralabium: a new species of Neotropical catfish from the Upper Orinoco and Negro rivers (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae). Copeia, Vol. 2004, No. 2. pp. 336-343.