Trichomycterus spectrum
Species of fish
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Trichomycterus spectrum is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Trichomycteridae, the pencil and parasitic catfishes.[2] This catfish was discovered in Alejo cave, Río Ranchería basin, Guajira, Colombia in 2020.[3]
| Trichomycterus spectrum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Trichomycteridae |
| Genus: | Trichomycterus |
| Species: | T. spectrum |
| Binomial name | |
| Trichomycterus spectrum | |
Description
The fish was the first cavefish species discovered in the region. The fish is described as being well adapted to life underground and displays clear troglomorphism.[3]
It grows to a maximum length of 13.19 centimetres (5.19 in) standard length.[4]
Etymology
The colourful sounding specific name spectrum does not allude to a spectrum at all. Instead it relates to its spectral-like appearance and its dark cave habitat.[4][5]