Spotted hoplo (Megalechis picta) fish species and information / pictures of Spotted hoplo - Megalechis picta

Spotted hoplo (Megalechis picta) fish species information

Scientific Name
Megalechis picta

Common Name
Spotted hoplo

Biology
Ubiquitous (Ref. 35381). Occurs in ponds (Ref. 11229), swamps and flooded savanna. May also occur in inland creeks with strong current. When the swamps are drained during the dry season, they burrow in the mud at a depth of 15-25 cm and remain there until the first rains. They hide only at the bottom of the marshes which remain always a little muddy even during the dry season. Today, they are presently captured with the net. Previously, fishermen drained the marshes in order to unearth the fish which had hidden there (Ref. 27188). Omnivore (Ref. 26543). Intestinal breathing, complementary to branchial breathing, enables them to adapt to extreme hypoxic conditions which occur in their biotopes. For these reasons, the relevant intestinal zone has a more reduced mucus epithelium as well as an increased blood system. In the dry season when swamps get dry, they sink deeper into the muddy substrate down to a depth of 20 cm. This way, they live at a slower pace, often in groups, un

Classification

Classified By
M?ller & Troschel, 1849
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Catfish (Siluriformes)
Family
Callichthyid armored catfishes (Callichthyidae)

Distribution

Region
South America
Distribution
South America: Amazon and Orinoco River basins, as well as coastal rivers of the Guianas and northern Brazil.
Range
Unknown

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
18 °C
Water Temperature To
28 °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
Unknown m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Freshwater; ; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 19 demersal
Trophic Level
2.87 s.e. 0.41 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
False
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
15.5 cm
Common Length
Unknown cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.7500 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
Low vulnerability (14 of 100)
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated