# Dentectus

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***Dentectus*** is a [monospecific genus](/source/Monospecific_genus) of freshwater [ray-finned fish](/source/Actinopterygii) belonging to the [family](/source/Family_(taxonomy)) [Loricariidae](/source/Loricariidae), the armored suckermouth catfishes, and the [subfamily](/source/Subfamily) [Loricariinae](/source/Loricariinae), the mailed catfishes. The only species in the genus is ***Dentectus barbarmatus***.[1][2]

This species is [endemic](/source/Endemism) to [Venezuela](/source/Venezuela) where it is found in the upper [Orinoco](/source/Orinoco_River) drainage.[1] There is very little ecological and behavioral information on this species.[1]

This species reaches 13.7 centimetres (5.4 in) [SL](/source/Fish_measurement).[3] Although it has been placed within the [*Pseudohemiodon* group](/source/Loricariinae) based on its strongly depressed body, filamentous lips with long fringed [barbels](/source/Barbel_(anatomy)), and small, spoon-shaped and dentition, *Dentectus* also shows unique derived features such as the presence of plates along the outer margin of its maxillary barbels, and a unique mouth structure that distinguishes it from all other genera.[1]

## References

1. Covain, Raphael & Fisch-Muller, Sonia (2007). ["The genera of the Neotropical armored catfish subfamily Loricariinae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae): a practical key and synopsis"](http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2007f/zt01462p040.pdf) ([PDF](/source/PDF)). *[Zootaxa](/source/Zootaxa)*. **1462**: 1–40.

1. Martin Salazar, F.J.; Isbrücker, I.J.H.; Nijssen, H. (1982). ["*Dentectus barbarmatus*, a new genus and species of mailed catfish from the Orinoco Basin of Venezuela (Pisces, Siluriformes, Loricariidae)"](https://repository.naturalis.nl/pub/504740). *Beaufortia*. **32** (8): 125–137.

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