Andean catfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Andean catfish |
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The Andean catfish (Astroblepus ubidiai) is a special type of freshwater fish. It belongs to the Astroblepidae family. In Spanish, people call it preñadilla. This fish lives only in the high mountains of the Ecuadorian Andes. It can be found in mountain streams across four different river systems in the Imbakucha area. The Andean catfish is brownish-grey and can grow up to about 150 millimeters (6 inches) long. Sadly, human activities are threatening this fish. Its home is shrinking and breaking apart. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says it is "critically endangered", meaning it's at a very high risk of disappearing forever.
What Does It Look Like and Where Does It Live?
The Andean catfish naturally lives in mountain rivers, fresh springs, caves, and underground water systems in the Imbakucha watershed. It has a brownish-grey color and no scales, which is unusual for a fish! Adult fish can grow up to 150 millimeters (about 6 inches) long.
Like other catfishes, the Andean catfish has special whiskers called barbels around its mouth. These whiskers have taste buds that help the fish find food, especially at night. Its diet includes other small fish, frogs, snails, algae, and other tiny creatures that live in the water.
Why Is It Endangered?
The Andean catfish is now considered critically endangered. This means it is in great danger of dying out. Several things are causing this problem:
- Loss of Habitat: The places where these fish live are being destroyed or changed by human activities. This includes building new areas or changing land for farming.
- Pollution: Water pollution from human settlements and farms makes the water unsafe for the fish.
- Fishing: Sometimes, people catch these fish, which reduces their numbers.
When their homes are destroyed, the fish populations get split up into smaller groups. Natural things like mountains or human-made things like farms and towns create barriers. These barriers stop the fish from moving to safer places if their environment gets worse. Also, predators like the large mouth bass in Imbakucha Lake eat the Andean catfish, making it even harder for them to survive.
See also
In Spanish: Astroblepus ubidiai para niños
