Apionichthys sauli Ramos, 2003

Family:  Achiridae (American soles)
Max. size:  6.97 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  South America: Rio Metica, a tributary of Rio Meta, and Rio Guarico, Orinoco basin.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 58-64; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 42-47; Vertebrae: 34-35. Body outline almost perfectly ovoid (dorsal and anal fin included); eyes widely separated; vertical dark lines conspicuous and crossed by a pair of longitudinal dark stripes bordering lateral line, forming a typical reticulate pattern over the brown background; body and fins have irregular dark blotches of different sizes, most of them approximately the size of the interorbital space, and minor blotches scattered among them; absence of scales on the interorbital space; reticulate color pattern over the brown background with small blotches; nostril diameter smaller than orbital diameter; and caudal fin lanceolate (Ref. 49504).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 March 2021 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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