Cteniloricaria napova Covain & Fisch-Muller 2012

Distinguished from its only congener Cteniloricaria platystoma by its distinctly spotted color pattern (vs indistinctly marbled), and its specific barcode sequence. Additional characters useful to separate this species from Cteniloricaria platystoma are the following: greater predorsal length (mean = 30.91 ± 0.38% of SL vs 29.91 ± 0.90 in Cteniloricaria platystoma; HSD, p-value < 0.0001); anus to pectoral-fin origin length (mean = 23.92 ± 0.89% of SL vs 23.31 ± 0.93; HSD, p-value = 0.0429); body width at dorsal- fin origin (mean = 15.17 ± 0.61% of SL vs 14.62 ± 0.91; HSD, p-value = 0.0228); body depth at dorsal-fin origin (mean = 10.04 ± 0.69% of SL vs 9.16 ± 1.00; HSD, p-value = 0.0012); head depth (mean = 42.21 ± 2.37% of HL vs 40.83 ± 2.85; HSD, p-value = 0.029); and more numerous premaxillary teeth (mean = 47 ± 6 vs 40 ± 12; HSD, p-value = 0.0099) (Ref. 90209).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 5

The fish labeled with the letter E in this image is a specimen of Cteniloricaria napova.

Cteniloricaria napova is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the upper Paru de Oeste River basin in Suriname. The species reaches 12.9 cm (5.1 inches) in standard length and is believed to be a facultative air-breather. Its specific name, napova, is derived from the Tiriyó language and means "thank you", honoring the Tiriyó people of Sipaliwini District for collecting and providing specimens of the species.