Trichomycterus rivulatus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Siluriformes |
Family: | Trichomycteridae |
Genus: | Trichomycterus |
Species: | T. rivulatus
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Binomial name | |
Trichomycterus rivulatus Valenciennes, 1846
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Trichomycterus rivulatus is a species of pencil catfish that is native to high-altitude Andean streams and lakes (including Junin, Poopó and Titicaca) in southern Peru, western Bolivia and northern Chile.[2] It is the largest species in the genus Trichomycterus and grows to a maximum length of 37.4 centimetres (14.7 in) TL.[2] The species is regularly caught as a food fish. However, because of pollution, studies have revealed levels of metals in T. rivulatus of Lake Titicaca that exceed the internationally recommended safety thresholds for human consumption.[3]