Guitarrito facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Guitarrito |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Bunocephalus
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| Species: |
coracoideus
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Bunocephalus coracoideus, also known as the guitarrito, is a special type of catfish. It's called a banjo catfish because its body is flat and wide, a bit like a banjo!
These fish live in the Amazon River basin in South America. You can find them in countries like Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, and Uruguay. They like to live in quiet places like ponds and small creeks where there are lots of plants and fallen leaves.
Contents
About the Guitarrito Fish
Where It Lives
The guitarrito fish makes its home in the famous Amazon River basin. This huge area includes many rivers and forests. It's a very diverse place for animals.
You can find these unique fish in several South American countries. They live in Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, and Uruguay. They prefer calm waters. This includes small ponds and slow-moving creeks. These places often have many plants and lots of natural debris.
What It Eats
The diet of the guitarrito fish is quite varied. They are bottom-feeders, meaning they look for food on the riverbed. They often eat organic debris. This includes tiny bits of plants and other decaying matter. Sometimes, they also eat very small fish.
Guitarrito as a Pet
The guitarrito is a popular choice for aquarium owners. People enjoy having them in their home tanks. They are generally very calm fish.
Size and Temperament
Both male and female guitarrito fish can grow up to about 12 centimeters (or 4.7 inches) long. They are known for being very peaceful. This makes them good tank mates for many other fish. However, they can be predators to very tiny fish. This includes young fry, which are baby fish.
Daily Life of a Guitarrito
Sleeping and Eating Habits
The guitarrito fish is mostly nocturnal. This means they are most active at night. During the day, they often hide or rest. At night, they become busy searching for food. As bottom-feeders, they spend their time looking for debris. They also hunt for smaller fish on the bottom of their habitat.
How They Reproduce
When it's time to lay eggs, the guitarrito fish chooses a sandy area. The female can lay a large number of eggs. She can lay up to 4,000 eggs at one time. These eggs are placed directly into the sandy bottom.
See Also
In Spanish: Bunocephalus coracoideus para niños
