The genus Chaetostoma is not straight-forward to identify, but as a general rule, the species has spines behind the gill-cover (interopercular odontodes), no plates on the abdomen, and aside from C. platyrhynchus also lack plates on the snout edge. Different from Ancistrus by not having fleshy tentacles on the snout. This species, from the Rio Zuata in Venezuela is different from C. milesi in several respects, the most obvious being an almost double size vs. C. milesi. It has likely never been exported for the trade.
The males have however a somewhat larger and broader head, slimmer ventral sides and disproportionately large pelvic fins. Perhaps the over-sized pelvic fins play a large role in the fertilization of the eggs. By inverting these over the clutch of eggs, they prevent the sperm cells being carried away too fast in the current.
This species is from Venezuela, where strict export restrictions make it very unlikely to appear in the trade - and it most certainly has never been exported for the trade.
South America: Andean piedmont streams feeding into the Orinoco drainage. Orinoco, Middle Orinoco, Apure(click on these areas to find other species found there)
Omnivore. Will eat algae and small live or frozen food. Some individuals can be weaned onto pellet food although this usually takes some effort and trial and error on the part of the aquarist.
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