Stauroglanis gouldingi de Pinna, 1989
Ghost candiru
photo by Sazima, I.

Family:  Trichomycteridae (Pencil or parasitic catfishes), subfamily: Sarcoglanidinae
Max. size:  2.7 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  South America: DaraĆ” River, Negro River basin.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  The species is rheophilic. Dwells on patches of loose sand where water flow forms ephemeral sand ripples. Diurnal and mostly visually oriented, forages on aquatic immature benthic insects (dipterans and coleopterans). Moves along the ripple grooves while scanning the bottom back and forth, alternating between adjacent grooves. Feeding activity peaks at late morning and afternoon. When disturbed buries in the sand, and at night remains buried. Seasonal reproduction indicated by mature females caught in the wet months (Ref. 52491).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 November 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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