Aspectos ecológicos de <em>Chaetostoma<em> sp. (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) en el alto río Magdalena, Colombia

Abstract

We determined food and reproductive habits of Chaetostoma sp. in the Upper Magdalena basin, Colombia. The samplings were monthly between August 2001 and July 2012. We collected 1853 individuals in 11 size classes, between 34 â 114 mm SL, with an average length of 43.5 mm SL. The frequent recruitment was observed throughout the year, however the greater contribution of young individuals occurred between January and March 2012. Overall, Chaetostoma sp. was categorized as an hervibore with preference for diatoms. Navicula was the main food item, while Synedra, Gomphonema, Cymbella, Oscillatoria and Fragilaria were secondary food items. The sex ratio was 1:1. The average fecundity was 124 oocytes and average diameter of 1.54 mm, possibly related to a reproductive strategy K