Microhabitat use in Hatcheria

[Silurus]

Barriga, JP, NA Espinós, JM Chiarello-Sosa, MA Battini, 2013. The importance of substrate size and interstitial space in the microhabitat selection by the stream-dwelling catfish Hatcheria macraei (Actinopterygii, Trichomycteridae). Hydrobiologia 705: 191–206.

Abstract

The study tests whether diurnal microhabitat use by Hatcheria macraei depends upon specific environmental parameters and/or the abundance of other fish. We carried out a 1-year field study in a low-order river of northern Patagonia, Pichileufu River, and used experimental trials to determine substrate preferences. Fishes were captured during daylight and physicochemical environmental variables were recorded. Headwater zones were dominated by rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and brown trout (Salmo trutta), while native fishes, H. macraei and the creole perch (Percichthys trucha) were more abundant downstream. H. macraei inhabited mostly shallow microhabitats with fast water velocity and substrates having significant interstitial spaces, independently of the abundance of other fishes. Experimental trials pointed out that H. macraei preferred mostly coarser substrates (>6 cm), avoiding fine ones. This study highlights the importance of erosional zones with high water velocity, large substrates, and suitable interstitial space in the microhabitat selection of H. macraei. The knowledge of microhabitat use by native fish populations is critical for management and conservation strategies and should be taken into account before any river modification.

[Bas Pels]

Too bad the fish is not in the cat-eLog

Googling informed me the fish is of the family Trichomycteridae en is might be an interesting fish to keep. It does need quite a current - obviously, as it is found in areas close to these where trout is found

[Jools]

Too bad the fish is not in the cat-eLog

There are very few pictures of it and the revision of the genus in 1981 is old enough not to be online but not old enough to be out of copyright and online. I'd happily add this widespread species if someone can offer a picture or point me in the direction of someone who has one.

Cheers,

Jools