Genus of fishes
Peckoltia is a genus of small South American armored suckermouth catfishes. Many of these fish are popular aquarium fish.
Taxonomy.
"Peckoltia" is a basal genus within the tribe Ancistrini of the subfamily Hypostominae. This genus is paraphyletic. At this point, many undescribed species remain. Many of the possibly undescribed species have an identification through the L-number system.
"Peckoltia" species can be distinguished from most other in the genera in the tribe Ancistrini by having a lateral ridge on the opercle that usually has no odontodes and the teeth on their upper jaw (dentary) forming an angle under 90 degrees; while some genera also have an angled dentary, "Peckoltia" species lack synapomorphies of these genera. This genus and the closely related "Hemiancistrus" may be synonymous, as neither genus is supported by synapomorphies. Generally, "Peckoltia" are considered to be those that have dorsal saddles and bands in the fins, while "Heminancistrus" have spots and uniform coloration. This genus is also similar to "Hypancistrus" and "Panaque" except for differences in teeth. Teeth on both jaws are the same size as opposed to different sizes, which is different from "Hypancistrus" where the upper jaw teeth are larger. Also, the teeth are villiform (brush-shaped) rather than spoon-shaped, in contrast to the "Panaque".
The classification of some of the species in this genus has been confused. "P. yaravi" has been moved to "Neblinichthys". "P. sabaji" was arbitrarily placed in this genus (as opposed to "Hemiancistrus"), but may even represent its own genus; later, it has been placed in "Hemiancistrus" but (Armbruster "et al." 2015) placed the species in the genus "Peckoltia". "Peckoltia bachi" is placed in the genus "Peckoltichthys" and "Peckoltia snethlageae" and "Peckoltia feldbergae" are placed in the genus "Ancistomus".
Species.
There are currently 21 recognized species in this genus:
Distribution and habitat.
"Peckoltia" inhabit freshwater habitats in the Amazon basin, upper Orinoco, upper Essequibo River, and also possibly the Maroni River, as well as coastal drainages north of the Amazon to French Guiana. Three species, "P. braueri", "P. cavatica" and "P. sabaji" are found in the Guiana Shield.
"Peckoltia" live in shallow, rocky riffles and in quieter water where they hide inside cavities in submerged logs.
Appearance and anatomy.
"Peckoltia" are members of the family Loricariidae, the armored suckermouth catfishes. As such, they have armor plating on their body instead of scales. Also, they have a suckermouth which they use to cling to rocks in their habitat. They have the characteristic Loricariid omega iris as well. Like many other catfish, "Peckoltia" have strong pectoral and dorsal fin spines that can be locked outwards as a defense.
"Peckoltia" have unmodified teeth and the teeth on their upper jaw form an angle under 90 degrees. Most male "Peckoltia" have hypertrophied odontodes on their body during the breeding season.
The biggest difference between all the "Peckoltia" species is coloration. They usually have a saddle-shaped marking on their back. However, "P. caenosa" are mottled.
Four species, "P. braueri", "P. caenosa", "P. cavatica" and "P. vittata", lack spots on their head while the rest have them. "P. braueri" and P. "cavatica" have orange bands in the dorsal and caudal fins and have the bones and plates of the head and nape outlined in black; in "P. caenosa" and "P. vittata", there are no orange bands and head plates and bones are not outlined. "P. caenosa" has dark vermiculations on the head and abdomen. "P. vittata" has saddles or blotches on the head and faint dark spots on the abdomen. "P. lineola" and "P. vermiculata" have spots on their head that combine to form vermiculations. In "P. lineola" the spots form vermiculations that are wider than its pupils, while in "P. vermiculata" the spots form vermiculations narrower than its pupils; also, the vermiculations radiate from a central point on the head in "P. vermiculata", while there is no such pattern in "P. lineola".
In the aquarium.
True "Peckoltia" species are fairly rarely exported for the pet trade; species called "Peckoltia" may actually be "Panaque" or "Hypancistrus" species. "Peckoltia" species are popular aquarium fish as they are small and attractive. They are shy and will spend much of the day hiding.
In 2013, aquarists reported breeding "P. braueri" in captivity for the first time.
References.
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