Exastilithoxus is a genus of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Loricariidae, the suckermouth armoured catfishes, and the subfamily Hypostominae, the suckermouth catfishes. These catfishes are found in South America.

Species

Exastilithoxus contains the following valid species:

Appearance and anatomy

Exastilithoxus species are small, cylindrical loricariids.

These species exhibit a round lower lip with fleshy barbels. Color pattern is generally mottled and dark brown with paler areas under and just posterior to the dorsal fin. The abdomen is white, fins are mottled, and the ventral surface of the caudal peduncle is colored as the sides, but slightly lighter. Like other loricariids, the body is armored, however the abdomen is naked.

Ecology

Exastilithoxus species are unique among loricariids in that they subsist entirely on insect larvae.

References