Tatia galaxias Mees, 1974

Family:  Auchenipteridae (Driftwood catfishes), subfamily: Centromochlinae
Max. size:  12.56 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  South America: Middle Orinoco River basin in Venezuela, including Meta drainage in Colombia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 1-1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5-5; Anal soft rays: 9-10; Vertebrae: 32-33. The following unique characters separate this species from all other species of Tatia: postcleithral process well developed, reaching almost to a vertical through the dorsal-fin origin; orbital diameter 37.0-42.9% HL; and snout length 23.1-28.9% HL . Can be further distinguished by the following features: narrow elliptical cranial fontanel; ribs 7; nasal ossified with wide medial flanges partially sutured to lateral margin of mesethmoid; coloration variable, sides of body usually dark with light, rounded spots or dots, or sometimes uniformly pale brown; toothed prevomer in examined large adult specimens (Ref. 79512). Description: A iii,6-7; V i5. Post-Weberian vertebrae 32-33 (Ref. 79512).
Biology:  Reaches sexual maturity above 5.42 cm SL (Ref. 79512).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 October 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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