Scientific Name
Hypostomus watwata

Common Name
Armored catfish

Biology
Coastal species which also occur in brackish waters of the lower reaches of rivers. Can be caught along the banks with muddy bottom occupied by plants like Laguncularia racemosa, Avicennia germinans and Rhizophora mangle Ref. 35381. Benthic. As part of its reproductive behavior, excavates and creates burrows for egg laying.

Classification

Classified By

Hancock, 1828

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Armored catfishes (Loricariidae)

Distribution

Region

South America

Distribution

South America: Guianan coastal drainages from the Oyapock River to the Demerara River. Introduced to Hawaii.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

26 °C

Water Temperature To

29 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal

Trophic Level

2 s.e. 0.00 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

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

45.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (42 of 100)

Resilience

Unknown

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated