PlanetCatfish.com - Physopyxis lyra (Doradidae) Cat-eLog

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From a stream of the Rio Nanay, Iquitos, Peru
From a stream of the Rio Nanay, Iquitos, Peru

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Physopyxis lyra** Cope, 1872
Common Name	Robocop Catfish (Peru)
Type Locality	Río Ampiyacu, Peru.
Species Information
Size	35mm or 1.4" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	Physopyxis can be distinguished from the other Doradidae by the miniature size (adults generally less than 31 mm SL) and a unique combination of additional features: extreme development of the exposed pectoral girdle; well developed coracoid process longer than the postcleithral process; anterior plate of the nuchal shield absent; dorsal spine serrated only along the basal portion of its anterior margin; two infraorbital bones in young that become fused into a single plate in adult specimens; pectoral spine reaching to base of anal fin. Physopyxis lyra differs from the other species of the genus by possessing a single row of spines on the lateral plates and a strong scapular girdle with long, broad coracoid processes having distal tips enlarged and divergent.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Amazon and Essequibo River basins. Amazon, Upper Amazon, Ampiyacu (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon (click on these areas to find other species found there) Guyana Waters, Coastal Rivers of Guyanas, Essequibo (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020.
Temperature	23.0-26.0°C or 73.4-78.8°F (Show species within this range)
Husbandry Information
Feeding	A nocturnal scavenger. The best way to ensure this fish is properly fed is to introduce sinking food into the tank after dark. Most foods would be accepted gluttonously. Individuals will gorge themselves on food to the point of appearing fit to burst. User data.
Furniture	Usually found in places with accumulated organic debris, like dense meshes of roots of floating aquatic plants. Specimens also can be found among submersed leaf litter and among root mats of river bank plants. Aquarium observations indicate that P. lyra is predominantly nocturnal, and spends most of day time sheltered among submersed root mats or buried in sand.
Compatibility	Peaceful and small, would be perfect with anything that wouldn't consider it food.
Suggested Tankmates	Due to its diminutive size tank mates should be relatively small, Apistogramma species are found in the same habitat.
Breeding	Unreported in the aquarium.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia v. 23, pp 273, Pl. 5 (figs. 1a-1c).
Registered Keepers	There are 7 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 5 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 4 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	Look up P. lyra on Fishbase
	Look up P. lyra on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up P. lyra on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.12.274.1094
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:40 (species record created: 2006 Aug 01 08:50)