Diagnostic Description
provided by Fishbase
Trichomycterus santanderensis can be distinguished from other species of the genus by the following combination of characters: variable reduction in eyes from visible to imperceptibledue to covering by a thick integument; relatively high head (62.5% of HL); enlarged mouth width (49% of HL); extended maxillary, nasal and rictal barbels (113.6%, 106.7% and 75% of HL, respectively); first pectoral ray extending as long filament, about 95% of pectoral-fin length; depth of the caudal peduncle 17.5% SL; caudal fin truncate with a slightly convex edge, upper portion of fin longer than lower portion; color varied from homogeneous light-red pigmentation of adults to pale rose with small grayish round spots on dorsum of young individuals (Ref. 58751).
Trophic Strategy
provided by Fishbase
The Cave El Puente is located in the center of a mountain to the west of the Andean mountain range in Colombia and is not registered in the speleological inventory of Santander. The cave is oriented vertically with narrow, rocky passageways and galleries where water infiltration was observed. The wells are small, shallow, blocked by ceilings of rock and interconnected by reduced descending channels that drain the limited water flow. Water temperature during the sampling was 21.5 °C and cave temperature was 19.9 °C. The bottom of the wells is rocky and contains much sediment (only four specimens of T. santanderensis were collected there). Bloodsucking bats and a diversity of arthropods inhabit the interior of the galleries.The cave is located in an area untouched by agrochemical products, where the practice of sustainableagroforestry has maintained the flora and fauna relatively well conserved, and where the AutonomousRegional Corporation for the Defense of the Bucaramanga Plateau is preparing a conservation program (Castellanos,2005).
