Appearance
"P. genibarbis" is large and bulky and reaches a length of 35.6 centimetres SL. The armor plates along the side of the fish are thick, are keeled, and encase the whole body. The adipose fin is not present. Like other members of Rhinelepini, they do not have the omega iris that is typical in most species of Loricariids. In Iquitos, Peru, it is known as "carachama sin costilla", which actually means "Loricariid without ribs"; this refers to the trait that it shares with other Rhinelepini catfish that do not have ribs past the sixth vertebra.This species is highly variable in coloration. "P. genibarbis" may be completely dark brown to black, mottled with tan to dark brown background and black streaks, or light tan with large, sparse spots located at base of lateral plates, fin membranes, and abdomen.
Males have longer odontodes on the cheek that are denser and more numerous than in females. It has been suggested that breeding males may also have orange on the cheeks and dorsal and caudal fin spines, although this may be restricted to fish from the Branco River.
Habitat
"P. genibarbis" is found in small, sluggish streams, floodplain lakes, and large rivers. Water quality measurements showed that the water tended to be low in oxygen, but neutral."P. genibarbis" is able to swallow air, like many other Loricariids. However, this species is not an obligate air-breather. When disturbed, it is able to swallow air to become neutrally buoyant and swim in the water column.
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