Cat-eLog Right Callichthyidae Right Callichthyinae Right Lepthoplosternum  |  | 

Down Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Lepthoplosternum ucamara  Reis & Kaefer, 2005
Common Names Ucamara Catfish
Ucamarapansermalle, Ucamarapansermalle (Denmark)
Type Locality Small creek into cocho Zapote, tributary to Río Pacaya, 5°20'16"S, 74°29'10"W, Río Ucayali drainage, Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, Loreto, Peru.
Pronunciation lep THOP low STERN um
Etymology Lepthoplosternum: From the Greek leptos, meaning small and hoplosternum; in reference to the small size. Hoplosternum: From the Greek hoplon, meaning shield and sternum, meaning breast; in reference to the prominent coracoid bones on the breast. 
Down Species Information
Size 46mm or 1.8" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification Lepthoplosternum species are the smallest of the Callichthyinae (maximum SL = 60.3 mm). They are distinguished by two unique traits: (1) a lower lip with a deep medial notch and a smaller lateral notch, forming two fleshy semi-triangular projections on each side of the midline, and a single unbranched ray preceding the branched rays on the anal fin.
Sexing Mature males of Callichthys, Dianema, Hoplosternum, Lepthoplosternum, and Megalechis have a thick adipose body on the ventral surface of the pectoral fin. In Dianema, Hoplosternum, Lepthoplosternum and Megalechis (but not in Callichthys), the coracoid bones are at least partially exposed and expanded medially. In Dianema, Hoplosternum and Megalechis, these medial expansions of the coracoids are especially developed, covering most of the skin between the pectoral fins and sometimes overlapping at the midline in fully developed mature males, however there does not appear to be a similar sexually dimorphic expansion of the coracoids in Lepthoplosternum.
Down Habitat Information
Distribution South America: Peru and Brazil; very likely ot occur at the intermediate whitewater floodplain localities along much of the upper Amazon.

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IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020.
Down Husbandry Information
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Down Further Information
Reference Copeia 2005 (no. 4), pp 728, Figs. 1C, 4.
Registered Keepers There is but a single registered keeper, view all "my cats" data.
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There are 2 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2023 Aug 05 03:01 (species record created: 2018 Aug 22 13:39)