Common name: bagre

Synonyms and Other Names: Rhamdia oaxacae, R. riojae, R. sapo, bagre negro, bagre-guarié, jandiá, jundiá, jundiá-tinga, mandi, mandi-guaru, sapipoca.

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Silfvergrip (1996) reviewed and revised the genus Rhamdia. He included diagnostic characteristics for the genus and for R. quelen. Additional information is available in Bockmann and Guazzelli (2003). Also included were illustrations and photographs of this species. This catfish, along with illustrations, is included in identification keys of Britski et al. (1984).

Size: 47 cm TL

Native Range: Tropical America. From southern Mexico to central Argentina (Silfvergrip 1996).

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Ecology: Found in creeks, lakes and rivers, preferring a sandy or muddy bottom covered with detritus (i.e., dead leaves and wood). Nocturnal omnivore, foraging for small fishes, crustaceans, zooplankton, and insects (Burgess 1989; Boujard et al 1997; Le Bail et al. 2000).

Means of Introduction: Probable aquarium release.

Status: Failed in Florida: a single individual was the only specimen ever reported.

Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.

Remarks: The Florida specimen was tentatively identified as R. quelen based on information from Silfvergrip (1996). Several members of the genus Rhamdia are found in the ornamental fish trade (Burgess 1989). Voucher specimen: Florida (UF 103762).

References: (click for full references)

Bockmann, F.A., and G.M. Guazzelli. 2003. Heptapteridae (Heptapterids). 406-431 in R.E. Reis, S.O. Kullander, and C.J. Ferraris, Jr., eds. Checklist of the freshwater fishes of South and Central America. Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS, Brasil.

Boujard, T., M. Pascal, F.J. Meunier, and P.-Y. Le Bail. 1997. Poissons de Guyane. Guide écologique de l"Approuague et de la réserve des Nouragues. Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Paris, France.

Britski, H.A., Y. Sato, and A.B.S. Rosa. 1984. Manual de identificação de peixes da região de Tres Marias (com chaves de identificação para os peixes da Bacia do São Francisco). Camara dos Deputados and Companhia de Desenvolvimento do Vale do São Francisco (CODEVASF), Brasília, Brasil.

Burgess, W.E. 1989. An atlas of freshwater and marine catfishes: a preliminary survey of the Siluriformes. Tropical Fish Hobbyist Publications, Inc., Neptune City, NJ.

Le Bail, P.-Y., P. Keith, and P. Planquette. 2000. Atlas des poissons d'eau douce de Guyane (tome 2, fascicule II). Publications scientifiques du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris, France.

Silfvergrip, A.M.C. 1996. A systematic revision of the Neotropical catfish genus Rhamdia (Teleostei, Pimelodidae). Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden.

Other Resources:
US Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Risk Screening Summary for Rhamdia quelen

Author: Leo Nico, Matt Neilson, and Bill Loftus

Peer Review Date: 10/5/2012

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.