Helogenes

Helogenes is the only genus in the subfamily of Helogeneinae within the Walwelse ( Cetopsiadae ). These are freshwater fish of tropical South America.

Features

Helogenes are small, no more than seven centimeters long fish with approximately cylindrical body and a blunt head. A notch extends from the head to the dorsal fin, which is located approximately in the middle of the body and has five soft rays. As the pectoral fins she never wears a hard jet. A small adipose fin may be present. The anal fin is long with 32-49 soft rays. The caudal fin is forked. Fit of the three pairs of barbels on the upper jaw in a notch below the small eye. The outer row of teeth in the lower jaw is enlarged and has broadly spaced.

Way of life

Helogenes are nocturnal hunters who mainly feed on insects. They colonize and clear black water rivers in tropical forests.

System

The genus can be attributed to four types:

  • Helogenes castaneus
  • Helogenes gouldingi
  • Helogenes marmoratus
  • Helogenes uruyensis

Swell

  • Tim M. Berra: Freshwater Fish Distribution. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago 2007, ISBN 9780226044422, pp. 154-157.
  • Subfamily: Helogeninae on Fishbase.org (English)
  • Catfish
  • Siluriformes
Taxonomic rank#All ranks Ostariophysi Charles Tate Regan Fish fin Barbel (anatomy)
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