Pareiorhaphis garapia Pareira, Lehmann A., Schvambach & Reis 2015

Pareiorhaphis garapia can be distinguished from all congeners by having the following characters: nuchal plate covered by thick skin and not exposed (vs. nuchal plate exposed and supporting odontodes); posterior process of the cleithrum narrow and elongate (vs. process wide, roughly rectangular); and last segment of the preopercular ramus of the latero-sensory canal limited to an ossified tubule or with a very narrow laminar expansion, always narrower than the canal itself (vs. canal associated to a wide laminar expansion, always wider than the canal). It further differs from most species except P. mutuca, P. vestigipinnis, P. calmoni, P. nudulus, P. hypselurus, P. stomias and P. lophia by the absence of the dorsal-fin spinelet. It can be distinguished from species without a spinelet, except P. nudulus and P. calmoni, by the narrower body at anal-fin origin (9.9-12.0 vs. 12.2-18.3% SL). The pectoral-fin spine in adult males is short and slightly curved, maximally reaching to the origin of the pelvic fin when adpressed (vs. pectoral-fin spine long, straight and reaching to one half of the pelvic-fin length, further distinguish the new species from P. nudulus and P. calmoni). In addition, it differs from all congeners, except P. nudulus, by having reduced number of plates on the snout, predorsal area and in the dorsal and mid-dorsal series, forming a large gap devoid of dermal plates between the dorsal and the adipose fins of apparently sexually mature but not fully developed individuals, measuring up to 50 mm SL (Ref. 105131).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 8; Analsoft rays: 5 - 6; Vertebrae: 30 - 31

Found upstream the 12 m high Garapiá waterfall, in a stretch starting at an altitude of 409 meters above sea level. This stream is characterized by crystal clear water, depths of up to 0.5 meter, width between 3 and 4 meters, strong current, and basaltic substrate composed of abundant rocks and pebbles. This stream consists of riparian vegetation formed by dense ombrophilous forest, most considered to be secondary. Most of the stream is covered by the canopy that blocks sunlight from directly reaching the water surface. Occurs syntopically with Astyanax sp., Pareiohaphis nudulus, Rhamdia sp. and Rineloricaria aequalicuspis. The following parameters were recorded on 12 October 2013: temperature 16.5°C, pH 7.6, conductivity 35.3 μS/cm, and Dissolved Oxygen 10.4 mg/l. (Ref. 105131).

Pareiorhaphis garapia is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the Tramandaí River basin in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. It is found upstream of the 12 m (39 ft) high Garapiá waterfall, at elevations higher than 409 m (1,342 ft) above sea level. It is known to occur alongside the species Pareiohaphis nudulus and Rineloricaria aequalicuspis, alongside members of the genera Astyanax and Rhamdia. The species reaches 6 cm (2.4 in) in standard length and is believed to be a facultative air-breather.

The stream in which Pareiorhaphis garapia occurs is characterized by clear water, dense riparian vegetation, a depth of up to 50 cm (20 in), a width of 3 to 4 m (9.8 to 13.1 ft), a strong current, a basaltic substrate composed primarily of rocks, and a forest canopy that blocks direct sunlight. The water in which it occurs has been found to have a temperature of 16.5 °C (61.7 °F), a pH of 7.6, a conductivity of 35.3 μS/cm, and an oxygen concentration of 10.4 mg/L.