Pareiorhaphis ruschii Pereira, Lehmann A. & Reis 2012

This species is distinguished from its congeners: except P. azygolechis, in having the lower lip margin densely fringed (vs. smooth or just slightly fringed); except with P. garbei and P. azygolechis in having a series of 6-10 (usually 7-9) small median, preadipose azygous plates, forming a low postdorsal ridge between the dorsal and the adipose fins (vs. none to 5 preadipose plates); from all remaining species except P. calmoni, P. bahianus, P. nudulus, P. hypselurus, and P. stomias by the pectoral-fin spine very long and straight, reaching the distal third of the pelvic fin when adpressed in adult males (vs. spine short and curved and maximally reaching half of the pelvic-fin length); differs from most species, except P. eurycephalus, P. hypselurus, P. stomias, and P. stephanus by having the hypuralplate asymmetrical with the lower lobe longer than the upper (vs. hypural plate approximately symmetrical) (Ref. 91743).

Collected from a shallow creek (0.5 m depth, approx. 4-5 m wide); immediately downstream from the reserve limit, where the river was still well preserved (Ref. 91743).

Pareiorhaphis ruschii is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it is known only from Brazil, with its type locality being listed as the Piraquê-Açu River basin in the state of Espírito Santo. It was first collected from a shallow creek about 50 cm (19.7 inches) deep and 4 to 5 m (13 to 16 ft) wide. The species reaches 8.5 cm (3.3 inches) in standard length and is believed to be a facultative air-breather.