Rhizosomichthys totae (sometimes known as Greasefish[2] in English) is a species of catfish (order Siluriformes) of the family Trichomycteridae, and the only species of the genus Rhizosomichthys.[3] This fish grew to about 13.8 centimetres (5.4 in) and was endemic to Colombia where it occurred in the Lake Tota basin.[4] It is listed as a critically endangered (possibly extinct) species by the IUCN Red List.[1] The species was last seen in 1957, and only 10 specimens were ever found. The disappearance is possibly linked to the release of 100,000 imported rainbow trout eggs into Lake Tota in 1936. [5]

Rhizosomichthys totae
artist's restoration of the living animal
Conservation status
Critically endangered, possibly extinct  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Siluriformes
Family:	Trichomycteridae
Subfamily:	Trichomycterinae
Genus:	Rhizosomichthys Miles, 1943
Species:	R. totae
Binomial name
Rhizosomichthys totae (Miles, 1942)
Synonyms
Of Rhizosomichthys Bathophilus Miles, 1942 Bathypygidium Whitley, 1947 Of Rhizosomichthys totae Pygidium totae Miles, 1942 Trichomycterus totae (Miles, 1942)

Specimens of R. totae are described as having 8 rings of connective fat encircling the body and two large sections of fat tissue on the posterior part of the back and head. No other trichomycterid has comparable organization of adipose tissue. [6]

References

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[es] Rhizosomichthys totae