Plataplochilus Eliasi

📖 Overview

Plataplochilus eliasi is found in very shallow, clear-water creeks over diverse substrate types consisting of boulders, cobbles and pebbles with Anubias sp. and overhanging vegetation . It appears to have a strong preference for fast-flowing stream sections on steep slopes .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 16 - 18. Diagnosis: Plataplochilus eliasi belongs to Plataplochilus by the anterior portion of the alveolar arm of the premaxilla developed into a squared process, the dorsoposterior process of the autolapalatine directed upwards, an elliptical supracleithrum, the dorsoposterior border of the cleithrum broad and posteriorly elongated, a rectangular and anteroposteriorly elongated lachrymal, and the presence of an upper lobe extension in the caudal fin of males . It differs from all described Plataplochilus species by the unique colour pattern of adult males: the flank above the mid-longitudinal line is brownish to olive green whereas the lower half of the flank and the operculum are bright dark blue; a large, round dark blue to black spot is present on the operculum; and a broad submarginal black band is present from the origin of the anal fin to end of the caudal peduncle; Plataplochilus chalcopyrus, P. mimus, P. ngaensis and P. terveri are lacking this band and opercular spot, and have a silvery lower flank with a blueish, greenish or brownish iridescence . Plataplochilus eliasi differs from P. pulcher and P. miltotaenia by lacking a narrow longitudinal red line on the flank; the colour pattern of P. cabindae, P. micrurus and P. loemensis is not known; Plataplochilus micrurus has the largest predorsal distance of all Plataplochilus species, 73% of standard length vs. less than 64%, and a strikingly lower number of dorsal and anal-fin rays, respectivelt 6 and 12 vs. 9-16 and 14-18 in all other species, 12-13 and 16-18 in P. eliasi . Furthermore, the new species also differs from all described Plataplochilus species by having a deeper body; adult males are the deepest of all species in the genus, 38.4-42.4% of standard length vs. less than 36.2%; all other described species have more slender bodies . In addition, Plataplochilus eliasi differs from all described species except P. miltotaenia by having 12-13 dorsal fin rays, vs. 13-16 in P. miltotaenia and less than 13 in all other species; it is similar to P. miltotaenia, P. terveri and P. loemensis by having 7-8 scales in a transversal row, distinguishing it from all other congeners, which have only 6 scales; Plataplochilus eliasi is also distinguished from P. miltotaenia by having the first ray of the dorsal fin inserted above anal-fin rays 4-5, vs. 1-3 in P. miltotaenia; adult females of P. eliasi have a rather similar colour pattern to other species of the genus, but can be easily distinguished from P. miltotaenia females by lacking a narrow mid-lateral longitudinal red line .Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Plataplochilus Eliasi is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; pelagic. Tropical

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🦠 Common Diseases

The following diseases are known to affect Plataplochilus Eliasi.

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

👥 Community & Contribute