Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Trichomycteridae (Pencil or parasitic catfishes) > Vandelliinae
Etymology: luna: Name 'luna' in reference to the white color of the living individuals similar to the moon and the Amazonian tale of the moon tears carving several river channels into northern South America, including that of the Amazon.
Eponymy: Dr Domenico Agostino Vandelli (1735–1816) was an Italian naturalist who maintained a lengthy correspondence with Linnaeus. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical
South America: Brazil.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 3.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 137619)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 8; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 5. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: autopalatine fenestra, occupying about half of autopalatine area; wide ascending process of opercle; acute processes extending into the posterior cranial fontanel from anterolateral corners of the parietosupraoccipital (Ref. 137619).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated; Cross section: oval.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Henschel, E., J.N. Baskin, R. Collins and N.K. Lujan, 2024. A revised diagnosis of the blood-feeding candiru genus Paravandellia (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae: Vandelliinae) with descriptions of three new species. American Museum Novitates 4024:1-36. (Ref. 137619)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
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