Meshscaled topminnow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mesh-scaled topminnow |
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The mesh-scaled topminnow (Micropanchax hutereaui) is a small type of fish. It belongs to the Poeciliidae family, which includes many popular aquarium fish. This fish gets its name from its scales, which look a bit like a mesh pattern.
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About the Mesh-scaled Topminnow
The mesh-scaled topminnow is a fascinating little fish. Its scientific name, Micropanchax hutereaui, helps scientists around the world know exactly which fish they are talking about. It's a freshwater fish, meaning it lives in rivers, lakes, and swamps.
Where Do They Live?
These fish live in two main areas in Africa. One group lives in the southern parts of Africa. You can find them in countries like Angola, Botswana, the Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia.
The other group lives in northern Africa. They are found in places like Chad, the Central African Republic, and the White Nile river in South Sudan and Sudan. They also live in the northern Democratic Republic of Congo.
What is Their Habitat Like?
Mesh-scaled topminnows love to live in small, calm waters. Their favorite spots are tiny streams and brooks. They also live in lakes and swamps that are found on floodplains. These areas often have lots of aquatic plants. The fish hide and find food among this underwater greenery.
How Was It Discovered?
This fish was first described by a scientist named George Albert Boulenger in 1913. He gave it the original name Haplochilus hutereaui. The first fish specimens he studied came from a place called Dungu. This area is located on the upper Uele River in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Boulenger received these fish from Armand Hutereau. Hutereau was leading a Belgian expedition to the Congo. To honor Armand Hutereau, Boulenger named the fish after him.
