New Species Discovered: The Maldonado-Ocampo’s Catfish in Colombia

The Amazon River basin in Colombia has revealed an exciting discovery — a new species of catfish with a unique white “collar” around its neck. This small, elongated fish, known as the Maldonado-Ocampo’s three-barbeled catfish, was found by researchers during a decade-long survey of fish in the region.

Named Pariolius maldonadoi, this catfish reaches just about 1.5 inches in length but stands out due to its well-defined white collar. The discovery, recently published in the journal Zootaxa, underscores the rich biodiversity of Colombia’s waterways.

This finding highlights the importance of ongoing research in the Amazon River basin, where scientists continue to uncover new species. The Maldonado-Ocampo’s catfish is a testament to the diversity of aquatic life in Colombia, emphasizing the need for conservation and further exploration of this remarkable region.

For more details, read the full article in the Miami Herald . Photo A Pariolius maldonadoi, or Maldonado-Ocampo’s three-barbeled catfish. Photo from Faustino-Fuster, López-Castaño, Quiñones and Meza-Vargas (2024)