| Baryancistrus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Baryancistrus niveatus | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Loricariidae |
| Tribe: | Ancistrini |
| Genus: | Baryancistrus Rapp Py-Daniel, 1989 |
| Type species | |
| Hypostomus niveatus Castelnau, 1855
| |
Baryancistrus is a genus of freshwater Loricariid catfish. They inhabit flowing sections of rivers, especially clearwater, in the basins of the Amazon (notably Trombetas, Tapajós, Xingu and Tocantins) and Orinoco (notably Ventuari) in Brazil and Venezuela. The largest species reach up to 34 cm (13 in) in total length.[2]
Most Baryancistrus are differentiated from other related genera by a membrane connecting their dorsal fin and adipose fin, not present in most other genera.[3]
The species of this genus are mainly herbivores and detritivores, but may take other foods in an aquarium setting. Most have probably not been bred in captivity. It is difficult to sex these fish, including adult specimens. These fish are mainly nocturnal, but will also emerge from their hiding places during the day, after some time getting accustomed to the aquarium. Adequate hiding places are recommended for these fish due to their primary nocturnal nature.
- ^ "Baryancistrus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved May 5, 2007.
- ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Species in genus Baryancistrus". FishBase. October 2017 version.
- ^ Werneke, David C.; Sabaj, Mark H.; Lujan, Nathan K.; Armbruster, Jonathan W. (2005). "Baryancistrus demantoides and Hemiancistrus subviridis, two new uniquely colored species of catfishes from Venezuela (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)" (PDF). Neotropical Ichthyology. 3 (4). Sociedade Brasileira de Ictiologia: 533–542. doi:10.1590/S1679-62252005000400011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-06-30.