Dwarf paradise fish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dwarf paradise fish |
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Polynemus verekeri Saville-Kent, 1899 |
The dwarf paradise fish (Parapolynemus verekeri) is a cool type of ray-finned fish. It's also called the streamer threadfin or streamered tasselfish. This fish belongs to a group called threadfins. It's the only species in its special group, Parapolynemus. You can find it living in the waters around Australia and New Guinea.
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What Does the Dwarf Paradise Fish Look Like?
The dwarf paradise fish is the smallest kind of threadfin. It has a long body and a large mouth that points downwards.
Fins and Features
This fish has two separate dorsal fins on its back. The first dorsal fin has 8 stiff spines. The second one has 1 spine and 11 to 14 soft rays. Its anal fin (on its belly) has 3 spines and 10 to 12 soft rays. The anal fin is shorter than the second dorsal fin.
The caudal fin (tail fin) has long parts, called lobes. The bottom lobe is usually the longest. It's often longer than the distance from the fish's nose to its second dorsal fin.
The pectoral fins are on its sides, near the middle of its body. They have 12 to 14 simple rays. These fins can reach past the end of the anal fin.
Special Filaments and Color
The dwarf paradise fish has 6 or 7 special pectoral filaments. These are like long, thin threads coming from its side fins. The fifth filament, which is the one furthest back, is the longest. It can even reach past the end of the tail fin! Its pelvic fins reach past its anus.
This fish has 50 to 60 scales along its lateral line. This line runs along its side and helps it sense movement in the water. The line ends between the middle of its tail fin and its first lower ray.
The body and head of this fish are yellow. The back shades to black, and its fins are bright orange. The long pectoral filaments are a deep red color. The dwarf paradise fish can grow up to 11 centimeters (about 4.3 inches) long.
Where Does the Dwarf Paradise Fish Live?
The dwarf paradise fish lives in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean. It also lives in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. You can find it in the waters of Australia and New Guinea.
Locations in New Guinea and Australia
In New Guinea, it lives in the southern part of the island. This includes areas from the Maro River in Western New Guinea to the Gulf of Papua in Papua New Guinea.
In Australia, this fish is found from Cambridge Gulf in Western Australia. Its range extends to Point Stuart in the Northern Territory.
Where They Live and What They Do
Adult dwarf paradise fish prefer to live in muddy estuaries. These are places where rivers meet the sea. They also live in the lower parts of rivers.
How They Reproduce
There is evidence that these fish gather in large groups to lay their eggs. This is called mass spawning. Hundreds of adult fish, almost ready to breed, were found together in one area called the Medusa Banks. This happened in January or February of 1968.
