PlanetCatfish.com - Pseudohemiodon aff. apithanos (Loricariidae) Cat-eLog

Male guarding eggs
Dorsal view
Note variance in colouration
Close-up of head
Eggs
Close-up of head
Juveniles
Egg clutch
Female - ventral view
Male - ventral view
Male with eggs

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Pseudohemiodon aff. apithanos**
Common Name	Chameleon Whiptail
Pronunciation	seu doh hem ee oh don
Etymology	Greek, pseudes = false + Greek, hemi = half + Greek, odous = teeth
Articles	- CotM 2018 June
Species Information
Size	180mm or 7.1" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	A striking and unmistakable fish. It will change colour to virtually all black when disturbed. Normal colouration is a light grey background with a black line that runs from snout, between the eyes and broadens into a band around the dorsal area. Another band appears along the back and the tail fin is black.
Sexing	Mature males will develop their lower lips to allow them to carry egg clutches. Other signs of sexual dimorphism are probably present in mature males but remain, as yet, unreported.
General Remarks	Collected in typical whitewater (pH of 7.2, 27°C) of the Rio Itaya south of Iquitos, Peru - this species is typically exported from Iquitos.
Habitat Information
Distribution	Ecuador / Peru South America: San Miquel River basin, western Amazon River drainage. Amazon, Upper Amazon, Putumayo, San Miguel (Ecuador) (click on these areas to find other species found there) Log in to view data on a map.
pH	6.4 - 7.6
Temperature	26.0-28.0°C or 78.8-82.4°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	Water should be fairly soft.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Algae wafers, sinking tablets, frozen bloodworm and frozen brineshrimp are all sought out. User data.
Furniture	Large open expanses of sand are required, at least the length of the fish squared. Floating plants will help the fish settle but are not mandatory. Rooted plants will not stay that way for long however. This species is also found in light leaf litter over sand, this may provide a clue as to the 'chameleon' attributes of the fish.
Compatibility	Peaceful and not territorial even among it's own kind.
Breeding	At least one account is documented, as with all members of this genus, it is a lip-brooder.
Breeding Reports	There are 3 breeding reports, read them all here.
Further Information
Registered Keepers	There are 52 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 17 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 27 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update	2017 Oct 05 15:02 (species record created: 2001 Apr 25 00:00)