Trichomycterus macrophthalmus Barbosa & Costa 2012

Distinguished from all congeners from southeastern Brazil by having nine pleural ribs (vs. 10- 17). This is similar to Trichomycterus travassosi and distinguished from all other species of southeastern Brazil by having shorter nasal barbel, its tip reaching eye (vs. between middle of the distance eyeopercular patch of odontodes and pectoral-fin base). Can be separated from T. travassosi by having larger eye (13.2 - 14.6% of head length, vs. 8.5- 10.7 %) and dorsal and lateral midline spots coalesced to form transverse bars (vs. lateral midline spots not confluent to dorsal spots) (Ref. 89884).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Analsoft rays: 9; Vertebrae: 35 - 36

Found actively swimming during day time in shallow places (20-40 cm deep) with fast flowing water, usually on gravel substratum, sometimes partially burrowed in the sand (Ref. 89884). Sympatric with Trichomycterus claudiae (Ref. 89884).