Aspredinichthys

Aspredinichthys is a genus of banjo catfishes found in fresh and brackish waters in tropical South America from the Orinoco delta, through the Guianas, to the Amazon delta.^[1] Both species are found in lower portions of rivers and in coastal waters of northern South America from Venezuela to northern Brazil^[2] where they are benthic fish.^[3]

Aspredinichthys
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Siluriformes
Family:	Aspredinidae
Subfamily:	Aspredininae
Genus:	Aspredinichthys Bleeker, 1858
Type species
Aspredo tibicen Valenciennes, 1840
Synonyms
Chamaigenes Eigenmann, 1910

Description

Aspredinichthys species are large aspredinids that grow up to about 22.0 centimetres (8.7 in) SL; they are distinguished from all other aspredinids by the characters including having 8 pectoral-fin rays and several pairs of accessory mental barbels present.^[4] The two species placed in this genus are very similar in appearance and are most readily separated by the pattern and number of accessory mental barbels.^[4]

Species

There are currently two described species in this genus:^[3]

• Aspredinichthys filamentosus (Valenciennes, 1840) (Sevenbarbed banjo)
• Aspredinichthys tibicen (Valenciennes, 1840) (Tenbarbed banjo)