Platystacus cotylephorus

Platystacus cotylephorus, the Banded banjo, is a species of banjo catfish. It is the only member of its genus.[1] The genus Platystacus is the sister group to a clade containing Aspredo and Aspredinichthys.[2] P. cotylephorus originates from coastal waters and lower portions of rivers of northern South America, from Venezuela to northern Brazil.[1]

Platystacus cotylephorus
Conservation status
Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Siluriformes
Family:	Aspredinidae
Subfamily:	Aspredininae
Genus:	Platystacus Bloch, 1794
Species:	P. cotylephorus
Binomial name
Platystacus cotylephorus Bloch, 1794
Synonyms
Of Platystacus Platysomatos Bloch, 1797 Cotylephorus Swainson, 1838 Of P. cotylephorus Silurus hexadactylus La Cepède, 1803 Cotylephorus blochii Swainson, 1838 Aspredo sexcirrhis Valenciennes, in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1840 Aspredo spectrum Gronow, in Gray, 1854 Platystacus nematophorus Bleeker, 1862

This species grows up to about 32.0 centimetres (12.6 in) SL and is distinguished from all other aspredinids by having 4+5 caudal fin rays. They are further distinguished from its close relatives by the absence of accessory maxillary barbels and the presence of well developed rows of unculiferous tubercles.[2]

P. cotylephorus is usually found in brackish waters on the soft bottoms of shallow, turbid water near to the mouths of rivers. reportedly it migrates into freshwater, though spawning is believed to take place in brackish water.[3] This species has an unusual mode of reproduction in which the eggs are attached to the underside of the female who carries them around with her until they hatch.[3]