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Geographic Range
The spiny dwarf catfish, Scoloplax dicra, is a species with the widest distribution in the family Scoloplacidae, encompassing the Amazon and Paraguay River basins, particularly the Rio Maronon/Ucayali drainage of Peru, Rio Mamore/Guapore of Brazil, lower basin of the Rio Negro, in its northernmost distribution, as well as the upper Rio Madeira, tributaries of Rio Solimoes, Rio Purus and Rio Jurua basins (Schaefer et al. 1989, Roch et al. 2012)

Habitat
Scoloplax dicra live in stagnant, ox-bow lagoons that are heavily shaded by lowland forests (Bailey & Baskin, 1976). Species of Scoloplax inhabit waters with slow currents, blackwater, and muddy, silty, or sandy bottoms, and have a presence of riparian and submerged vegetation (Albornoz-Garzon et al. 2018). The preferred habitat is acid waters with organic detritus on the bottom (Baskin & Bailey, 1976).

Physical Description
The relationships of Scoloplax lie among the armored catfish groups, with well-developed integumentary teeth on the fins, head, and usually on the separate bony plates on the body (Baskin & Bailey, 1976). Scoloplax dicra has a subterminal mouth with bifid teeth in a single row in both upper and lower jaws. Gills extend from the lower pectoral base to the upper corner of the operculum with short gill rakers. Four branchiostegal rays. A pair of lateral bony spheres encapsulate swim bladder vesicles, each with sharp lateral projections. The dorsal and pectoral spines have locking mechanisms. Fin rays: dorsal I,4; anal I,4 or 5; pectoral I, 5 to 7; pelvic I,4; caudal 10 or 11 (Baskin & Bailey, 1976). The anal fin is short and rounded while the pelvic fin is relatively long with three to four soft rays and the adipose fin is absent. The maxillary barbel extends to just beyond the insertion of the pectoral fin with the barbel forks behind the angle of the mouth—no nasal barbel (Baskin & Bailey, 1976). The standard length ranges from 9 to 20 mm (Schaefer et al, 1989). Scoloplax dicra also has the characteristic of a pair of bony plates with 3 odontodes, located between the pelvic-fin base and anus has not been recorded in any other Scoloplax species (Albornoz-Garzon et al, 2018). It also has 27 total vertebrae, a condition shared with outgroup loricariids (Shaefer, 1990).

Development
Due to its recent discovery and description, little information is known about the development of Scoloplax dicra.

Reproduction
The reproductive biology of Scoloplacaids is still poorly known, Scoloplax dicra might be an inseminating species, based on the histological identification of spermatozoa within the ovaries (Spadella et al., 2008). Scoloplacidae has exhibited marked sexual dimorphism (Meisner et al., 2000). It is suggested that these fish reproduce early during the rainy season from November on, and afterward, most of the adult population dies (Sazima et al., 2000).

Lifespan/Longevity
Not much is known about the longevity of this species. It is likely that such a small tropical fish has an annual life cycle (Bailey & Baskin, 1976). This would help explain a lack of living adults after the rainy season when they have reproduced.

Behavior
Scoloplacidae contains a single genus, Scoloplax, and four described species. The species Scoloplax empousa is presumed to have an air-breathing ability to help survive the dry phase of its seasonal habitat (Sazima et al., 2000). During the day they hide mostly amidst the exposed root tangle and basal parts of submersed aquatic plants as well as among bottom debris. (Sazima et al., 2000). When disturbed, they bury themselves in the sand with a quick headfirst dive and make a lateral swaying movement until they are out of sight.

Food Habits
The habits of the spiny dwarf catfishes remain the least known among Neotropical siluriform families (Sazima et al., 2000). Of the four named species, Scoloplax empousa was observed in its habitat foraging at twilight and during the night employing a hunting tactic that alternates periods of sit-and-wait with active foraging with short displacements. The S. empousa diet consisted of bottom-dwelling invertebrates (Sazima et al., 2000).

Predation
The formation of odontodes may provide protection against predation but, this needs to be studied further (Rivera-Rivera & Montoya-Burgos, 2017).

Ecosystem Roles
Since this species feeds on bottom-dwelling invertebrates it can be suggested that they keep the population in check.

Economic Importance
The small size and secretive habits of Scoloplacidae preclude any aquaculture use (Teugels, 1996).

Conservation Status
Although not many specimens have been collected, its wide distribution does not raise concerns about conservation, particularly because the habitat where they are found is very common in the region (Rocha et al. 2012). But, because this region is a potential hotspot for freshwater fishes, the area should be managed due to the narrow floodplain in the region. Zoning and restrictions should be put in place to minimize the impact on the region (Chernoff et al. 2000). The distribution of this species lies within multiple countries which could make management of the species difficult.