Cordylancistrus nephelion
Overview
Cordylancistrus nephelion, called the Tuy armored suckermouth catfish, is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the Tuy River basin in Venezuela. It is known to inhabit areas with transparent water, moderate to strong flow, and a substrate of stone, gravel, or sand. The species reaches 12.9 cm SL.
Cordylancistrus nephelion faces severe threats from habitat degradation in its restricted Andean range. Mining activities, agricultural expansion, and water pollution from human settlements have significantly impacted the clear, fast-flowing streams this species requires. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized environmental changes and water quality deterioration.
Habitat
This armored catfish inhabits clear, fast-flowing mountain streams and rivers in the Andean foothills of South America. It requires well-oxygenated waters with rocky substrates and moderate to strong currents, typically at elevations between 500-1500 meters.
