Banjo (Aspredo aspredo) fish species and information / pictures of Banjo - Aspredo aspredo

Banjo (Aspredo aspredo) fish species information

Scientific Name
Aspredo aspredo

Common Name
Banjo

Biology
Benthic fish occurring on sandy-muddy bottoms of brackish waters (Ref. 35381) and coastal rivers (Ref. 36695). Found on soft bottoms of shallow turbid water near river mouths. The species has a peculiar mode of egg incubation wherein the female banjo catfish carries the eggs firmly attached to the underside of the body. This seems to be an adaptation to facilitate the oxygenation of the eggs in muddy environments. Reproduction probably occurs during the earlier part of the year (Ref. 35381).

Classification

Classified By
Linnaeus, 1758
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Catfish (Siluriformes)
Family
Banjo catfishes (Aspredinidae)

Distribution

Region
Central and South America
Distribution
Central and South America: lower portions of coastal rivers from Venezuela to northern Brazil.
Range
Unknown

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
Unknown m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Freshwater; brackish; demersal
Trophic Level
3.26 s.e. 0.36 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
False
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
38.3 cm
Common Length
35.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Vulnerability
Moderate vulnerability (37 of 100)
Resilience
Unknown
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated