Characidium macrolepidotum (Peters, 1868)

Family:  Crenuchidae (South American darters), subfamily: Characidiinae
Max. size:  6.1 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  South America: Brazil, near Rio de Janeiro (type locality).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2-2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 6-6; Vertebrae: 36. Flat, scale-less breast, developed pectorals, slightly oblique eyes, only seen from above, and narrow interorbital; 3 unbranched pectoral rays and 1 unbranched pelvic ray; lateral line complete, adipose fin present, cheeks not covered, mouth with few, unicuspid teeth, numbering only 4 on the upper jaw. A rather broad, brown lateral stripe from snout to end of peduncle just above lateral line. 'Spines' are unbranched rays.
Biology:  A small, bottom living species. Not collected since more than 100 years, and thus it may well be endangered, if not extinct (Ref. 38397).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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