ANIMALS – FISHES – CATFISHES – TOAD CATFISH (RHAMDIA QUELEN)

Animals - Fishes - Catfishes

Toad Catfish (Rhamdia quelen)

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Actinopterygii
Order : Sluriformes
Family :Heptapteridae
Genus : Rhamdia
Species : R. Quelen

Description:

The Toad Catfish, Black catfishor Jundiá (Rhamdia quelen) is a species of fishin Heptapteridaefamily. It is endemic to central Argentina, southeastern Brazil and Uruguay.

It has wide body, low, without scales, depressed head, small eyes, wide mouth of jaws, no teeth; no thorn in the fins, strong dorsal fin and short radios. Maxillary barbels have sensory function.

The male reaches 35 cmand published maximum weight was 4.02 kg

It is a benthopelagic fish, freshwater; with a range of depth between 0-3 m; tropical climates. It has little commercial value.

It is found in Central and South America, from Mexico to central Argentina.

Binomial Name:

Name : Rhamdia quelen
Taxonomist : Jean René Constant Quoy (Maillé - France) & Joseph Paul Gaimard (Saint-Zacharie - France)
Year : 1824
Subspecies : None, or not data available
Synonyms : Rhamdella gilli, Rhamdia gilli

Conservation Status by IUCN:

Status : Not Evaluated, or not data available

Philatelic Issues

2005 – Uruguay – Stamp 1 of 4, from River Fishes Series

Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: November 22nd, 2005
Printed: 15.000 Copies
Type: Stamp from Series of 4 Stamps
Value:UYP 16

Stamp: Rectangular
Size: 39 mm. x 27 mm.
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated