Trichomycteridae
| Trichomycteridae | |
|---|---|
| Members of Trichomycteridae | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Suborder: | Loricarioidei |
| Family: | Trichomycteridae Bleeker, 1858 |
| Type genus | |
| Trichomycterus Bleeker, 1858
| |
Trichomycteridae is a family of catfishes commonly known as pencil catfishes or parasitic catfishes; though only certain species are parasitic, those are some of the few parasitic chordates known. This family is prohibited from being imported into various parts of the United States due to their reputation as parasites.
The life monsefuano (Trichomycterus punctulatus) was important to the Moche culture and still an important part of Peruvian cuisine.