Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Perciformes
- Family
- Doradidae
- Genus
- Lithodoras
- Species
- dorsalis
Habitat
This species primarily inhabits large rivers and their tributaries in South America, such as the Amazon and Parana do Cambixe basins. It prefers slow-moving or standing waters with sandy or muddy substrates, often in forested areas of Brazil and French Guiana. These environments provide cover among rocks and vegetation.
Diet
Rock-bacu feeds mainly on benthic invertebrates like insects and crustaceans, as well as plant material and occasionally small fish. It is a nocturnal forager, using its barbels to search for food along the river bottom. Feeding activity peaks at night in deeper waters.
Behavior
Rock-bacu are generally solitary and nocturnal, spending daylight hours hiding under rocks or in crevices to avoid predators. They exhibit territorial behavior when defending feeding areas and are known to be relatively inactive during the day. This species uses its spines for defense when threatened.
Conservation Status
Listed as Not Evaluated by IUCN.