Pseudostegophilus is a genus of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Trichomycteridae, the pencil and parasitic catfishes, and the subfamily Stegophilinae, the parasitic catfishes. These catfishes are found in rivers in tropical South America. The members of this genus are obligate parasites that feed on scales and mucus of other fish.
Species Pseudostegophilus contains the following valid species:
Distribution and biology P. haemomyzon originates from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela while P. nemurus is found in the Amazon basin in Brazil and Peru. P. haemomyzon grows to about SL. P. nemurus grows to about TL. P. nemurus is said to become attached to the gills, anal region, and fins of dead, dying, or disabled fishes. P. maculatus originates from the lower Paraná and Uruguay River basins in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, while P. paulensis is from the upper Paraná River basin in Brazil. The remaining Pseudostegophilus species grow to about in length. P. maculatus enters the gill chamber of the catfish Luciopimelodus pati and feeds on the gills.
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