Ancistrus mullerae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ancistrus mullerae |
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Ancistrus mullerae is a type of catfish that belongs to the Loricariidae family. These fish are also known as armored catfish because they have bony plates on their bodies. This special fish lives in South America, specifically in the Iguazu River basin in Paraná, Brazil.
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Meet the Ancistrus mullerae Catfish
Ancistrus mullerae is a fascinating species of catfish. Catfish are a large group of fish named for their "whiskers," which are called barbels. These barbels help them find food in the water. Many catfish live in freshwater, like rivers and lakes.
What is an Armored Catfish?
The Ancistrus mullerae is part of the Loricariidae family. This family is often called "armored catfish" or "plecos." They get this name because they have rows of bony plates covering their bodies, almost like armor! These plates protect them from predators.
Another cool feature of these fish is their special mouth. It's shaped like a suction cup, which helps them cling to rocks and other surfaces. This also helps them scrape off algae and tiny bits of food.
Where Does This Fish Live?
This particular catfish is native to South America. It lives in the Iguazu River basin. The Iguazu River is famous for the incredible Iguazu Falls, a huge waterfall system. The river flows through parts of Brazil and Argentina.
The Ancistrus mullerae is found in the state of Paraná in Brazil. This area is known for its rich biodiversity, meaning it has many different kinds of plants and animals.
How Big Does It Get?
This catfish is not a giant! It typically reaches about 12.5 centimeters (which is about 4.9 inches) in standard length (SL). Standard length means the measurement is taken from the tip of the fish's snout to the base of its tail fin.
Who Discovered This Species?
The Ancistrus mullerae was officially described in 2009. This means scientists gave it its scientific name and published details about it. The scientists who described it were A. G. Bifi, C. S. Pavanelli, and C. H. Zawadzki.
They didn't just find one new species! At the same time, they also described two other new species of Ancistrus catfish from the same river basin: A. abilhoai and A. agostinhoi. This shows how much there is still to discover about the amazing fish in the world's rivers!
See also
In Spanish: Ancistrus mullerae para niños
