Astyanax aramburui facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Astyanax aramburui |
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Astyanax
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| Species: |
aramburui
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Astyanax aramburui is a small freshwater fish that lives in the rivers of South America. You can find it in a specific part of Argentina, in the Paraná and Uruguay river basins. This fish was named after Raúl Arámburu, an important scientist who studied fish in Argentina. It's considered a "near-threatened" species, which means it might be at risk if we don't protect its home from pollution.
Scientists can tell Astyanax aramburui apart from similar fish by a few special features. For example, adult males have tiny bumps on their heads and scales. These bumps are rare in other fish of the Astyanax family. This fish also has shiny silver scales with a touch of yellow and a single black spot on its side.
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Discovering and Naming This Fish
Astyanax aramburui was first officially described in 2006. Three scientists from Argentina found it in the Paraná and Uruguay river systems.
Why Is It Called Astyanax?
The name "Astyanax" comes from an old Greek story called the Iliad, written by Homer. Astyanax was a brave Trojan warrior. Scientists might have chosen this name because the scales of the first fish found in this group looked like armor.
The second part of its name, "aramburui," honors a scientist named Raúl Arámburu. He started the first special program for studying fish in Argentina. This is a fitting tribute because the Astyanax aramburui fish only lives in Argentina.
In South America, many small fish species, including Astyanax aramburui, are sometimes called "Mojarra."
What Does This Fish Look Like?
The Astyanax aramburui fish can grow up to about 6.1 centimeters (2.4 inches) long. It has a slim body and a short snout with a large eye.
Its scales are mostly shiny silver with hints of yellow. There are also tiny dark spots on its head and body. The sides of its head are plain silver, and a silver stripe runs along its body, ending in a black spot on its tail. This black spot even spreads onto the tail fin, which is mostly gray with a darker edge.
Special Features of Males
Male Astyanax aramburui fish have special bony hooks on all their fins. Also, adult males have small bumps on their heads and scales. These bumps are called "epidermal breeding tubercles" and are quite unusual for fish in the Astyanax group. They help scientists identify this species. Other than these bumps and hooks, males and females look very similar.
Where Does This Fish Live?
Astyanax aramburui only lives in Argentina. It was first found in the Paraná and Uruguay river systems. It has been seen in specific places like the Villaguay Creek and Brazo Chico Creek. These creeks are part of the Gualeguay basin, which gets a lot of rain each year.
Scientists don't know much about what Astyanax aramburui eats. However, many fish in the Astyanax family can eat many different things, like plants and small animals.
Protecting This Fish
In 2009, a study found that Astyanax aramburui was rare in Argentina. It is now listed as a "near threatened" species on the IUCN Red List. This means it could become endangered if we don't protect it.
One reason it's at risk is pollution. The Gualeguay River basin, where it lives, gets pollution from factories that process meat and leather. Farmers also use different chemicals and pesticides in the area, which can get into the water. Protecting these rivers from pollution is important to help Astyanax aramburui survive.
See also
In Spanish: Astyanax aramburui para niños
