Chiselmouth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chiselmouth |
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The chiselmouth (scientific name: Acrocheilus alutaceus) is a unique type of fish found in western North America. It belongs to the carp and minnow family. This fish gets its name from a special, hard plate on its lower jaw. It uses this plate like a chisel to scrape algae off rocks. The chiselmouth is the only species in its genus called Acrocheilus. It is also related to other fish known as Gila western chubs.
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What Does a Chiselmouth Look Like?
The chiselmouth has a body shape that is typical for fish in the carp family. It is usually long and a bit flat from side to side. Its snout, which is the front part of its head, is very blunt. The special plate on its lower jaw is made of tough skin, and it sticks out a little bit.
This fish usually has a plain color. It is dark brown on top and lighter brown underneath. Many chiselmouths also have small black dots on their bodies. Younger fish might have a dark spot near the base of their tail.
The chiselmouth has one dorsal fin (on its back) with 10 soft rays. Its anal fin (on its underside near the tail) and its well-developed pelvic fins (on its belly) each have 9 or 10 rays. Chiselmouth fish can grow to be about 30 centimeters (12 inches) long.
Where Do Chiselmouths Live?
Chiselmouths typically live in the warmer parts of streams and rivers. You can find them in the river systems of the Columbia River, Fraser River, and the Harney-Malheur area in the Great Basin. Some chiselmouths also live in lakes. When it's time to lay eggs, they will swim from the lakes into streams.
Even though there are many chiselmouths in some places, scientists don't know much about their daily lives. The Nez Perce people, who are Native Americans, often used chiselmouths as a food source.
What Do Chiselmouths Eat?
When chiselmouths are young, they mostly eat insects that are on the water's surface. As they grow, their special "chisel" develops. This happens when they are about 1.5 centimeters (0.6 inches) long. Once they have their chisel, they change their diet.
They start scraping food off surfaces like rocks. They make quick, darting movements to loosen whatever is stuck there, then suck it into their mouths. Even though they eat long, stringy algae, it seems they don't digest much of it. Their main food actually consists of tiny, single-celled organisms called diatoms.
See also
In Spanish: Acrocheilus alutaceus para niños
