Pimelodus pohli, new species, is described from the rio São Francisco drainage. It differs from congeners by the following characters in combination: adults with dark spots on anterodorsal region of body and young specimens (up to 100 mm SL) with three rows of dark spots laterally on body; comparatively long adipose fin, more than one third of the distance between posterior end of dorsal fin base and the vertical through posterior end of anal-fin base (21.8-26.2% SL); lips poorly developed; 20-25 gill rakers; and maxillary barbels slightly surpassing the caudal-fin base. A key to the species of Pimelodus of the rio São Francisco drainage is presented.
Catfish; Taxonomy; South America; Neotropical