Nematogenys inermis
Nematogenys inermis
Nematogenys inermis is a catfish -like fish and the only extant species in the family of Nematogenyidae (pencil catfish ). It is endemic in Central and Southern Chile about Valparaíso to Osorno at the bottom of rivers, mainly between the submerged roots of trees in front.
Features
Nematogenys inermis is an elongated, scaleless fish, the maximum likely to be achieved mostly up to 20 just over 40 centimeters in length. The body is mottled, which coloration varies between different populations. The head has a pair of depending on barbels on the upper jaw and chin and a very short couple beside the nostrils. The gill cover has no spines. The hard radiant loose dorsal fin sits in the middle of the body over the pelvic fins. The rigid beam of the pectoral fin is cut at the rear end. An adipose fin is missing.
System
Nematogenys inermis is the only extant species of the family, next to it is with Nematogenys cuivi a fossil species have been described. Within the superfamily of Loricarioidea Nematogenys probably forms the sister group to the Schmerlenwelsen ( Trichomycteridae ), where the species was formerly attributed.
Stock
While the species was still often used at the beginning of the twentieth century as a food fish, it is true, probably due to habitat loss and invasive species, now considered very rare. Exact population figures are unknown.