Raspabalsa
Sturisomatichthys frenatum
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturisomatichthys_frenatus
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Order
Siluriformes
Family
Loricariidae
Genus
Sturisomatichthys
Raspabalsa belongs to the family Loricariidae, order Siluriformes, within the unknown class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Sturisomatichthys frenatum faces severe threats from habitat degradation due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, and water pollution in its native South American river systems. Dam construction and water diversions have fragmented populations and altered critical flow regimes. The species' limited distribution and specialized habitat requirements make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This armored catfish inhabits fast-flowing, well-oxygenated rivers and streams with rocky or sandy substrates in the Magdalena River basin of Colombia. It requires clear waters with moderate to strong currents and typically occurs in areas with fallen logs and rocky crevices that provide shelter.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Sturisomatichthys frenatum faces severe threats from habitat degradation due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, and water pollution in its native South American river systems. Dam construction and water diversions have fragmented populations and altered critical flow regimes. The species' limited distribution and specialized habitat requirements make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.
Dam construction and river flow modification
Habitat degradation from deforestation and agricultural runoff
Water pollution from mining and industrial activities
Climate change affecting water temperature and flow patterns
Sedimentation from soil erosion
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Raspabalsa (Sturisomatichthys frenatum). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/raspabalsa