Trichomycterus
| Trichomycterus | |
|---|---|
| 1856 illustration from Castelnau's description: 2nd from top is Trichomycterus punctatissimus, bottom two are Trichomycterus rivulatus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Trichomycteridae |
| Subfamily: | Trichomycterinae |
| Genus: | Trichomycterus Valenciennes, 1832 |
| Type species | |
| Trichomycterus nigricans Valenciennes, 1832
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Trichomycterus is a genus of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Trichomycteridae, the pencil and parasitic catfishes. This is the largest genus of its family with over 200 species currently described. This genus is native to freshwater habitats in Central and South America. These fish are generally small, usually about 5 to 15 cm (2–6 in) in standard length, although the largest, T. rivulatus, can reach more than twice this size. Species differ from one another primarily in body proportions, fin ray counts and colouration. Despite their relatively small size, some, such as T. punctulatus, support fisheries and are important in the local cuisine.