| SOURCE FOR OCCURRENCE IN ECUADOR: This species is rare in freshwater rivers of western Ecuador. References for its occurrence in the area include Fischer, et al. (1995), Massay & Massay (1999), Laaz et al. (2009), Laaz & Torres (2010), Eschmeyer (2011). |
| ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION: Günther, A. 1862. Catalogue of the fishes in the British Museum. Catalogue of the Acanthopterygii, Pharyngognathi and Anacanthini in the collection of the British Muesum. Catalogue of the fishes in the British Museum. v. 4: i-xxi + 1-534. |
| TYPE SPECIMENS: |
| TAXONOMIC STATUS: Valid (Eschmeyer and Fricke, 2011). |
| RANGE ECUADOR: Guayas River Drainage ( Laaz & Torres, 2010). |
| RANGE OUTSIDE OF ECUADOR: Eastern Central Pacific (Eschmeyer, 2011). |
| COLLECTIONS IN ECUADOR: |
| MAXIMUM SIZE: 19 cm (Fischer et al, 1995). |
| DISTINGUISHING FEATURES: Achirus scutum differs from other species by the following characters: oval body compressed dorso-ventrally, small eyes on the right side of the head, about twenty irregular stripes forming a reticulated pattern, caudal fin with a rounded margin and dark spots (Laaz et al., 2009). |
| ECOLOGY: Achirus scutum is known in Ecuador as the “guardaboya”. It is a medium-sized, ecologically important carnivorous fish that feeds on small crustaceans and polichaetes. It occurs in coastal waters typically between 15 and 20 m, commonly enters estuaries (Fischer et al , 1995).
|
| ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE: Not of economic importance. |
| CONSERVATION STATUS: NA, although this species is not heavily exploited as a food species. |
| LINK TO FISHBASE PAGE: Click here for link |
| SPECIES PROFILE CREATED BY: Enrique Laaz |
| SPECIES PROFILE CONTRIBUTORS: NA |
