Exastilithoxus

Exastilithoxus is a small genus of suckermouth armored catfish native to South America.

Exastilithoxus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Siluriformes
Family:	Loricariidae
Tribe:	Ancistrini
Genus:	Exastilithoxus Isbrücker & Nijssen, 1979
Type species
Pseudacanthicus (Lithoxus) fimbriatus Steindachner, 1915

Species

There are currently two recognized species in this genus:^[1]

• Exastilithoxus fimbriatus (Steindachner, 1915)
• Exastilithoxus hoedemani Isbrücker & Nijssen, 1985

Appearance and anatomy

Exastilithoxus species are small, cylindrical loricariids.^[2]

These species exhibit a round lower lip with fleshy barbels.^[2] Color pattern is generally mottled and dark brown with paler areas under and just posterior to the dorsal fin. The abdomen is white, fins are mottled, and the ventral surface of the caudal peduncle is colored as the sides, but slightly lighter.^[2] Like other loricariids, the body is armored, however the abdomen is naked.^[2]

Ecology

Exastilithoxus species are unique among loricariids in that they subsist entirely on insect larvae.^[2]