Hypancistrus furunculus facts for kids

Hypancistrus furunculus is a special kind of armored catfish. It's found only in one place in the world: the Orinoco River in Venezuela. This means it is an endemic species, which makes it quite unique!

About the Armored Catfish

The Hypancistrus furunculus is part of a fish family called Loricariidae. These fish are often called "armored catfish" because they have bony plates covering their bodies. These plates act like a suit of armor, protecting them from predators. Unlike many fish that have scales, these catfish have tough, protective skin and bones.

What Makes It Special?

While we don't have many details about its daily life, like what it eats or how big it gets, we know it's a fascinating part of the river's ecosystem. Armored catfish often use their mouths like suction cups to cling to rocks in fast-moving water. They might also use them to scrape algae or tiny organisms off surfaces for food.

Where This Fish Lives

The Hypancistrus furunculus lives exclusively in the Orinoco River. This mighty river is one of the longest rivers in South America. It flows through Venezuela and Colombia, creating a rich habitat for many different animals.

Endemic to Venezuela

When a species is "endemic" to a place, it means it naturally lives only there and nowhere else in the world. So, the Hypancistrus furunculus is a true Venezuelan native. This makes it very important to protect its home in the Orinoco River. Protecting its habitat helps keep this unique fish safe for the future.

How This Fish Was Discovered

Scientists are always exploring and finding new species. The Hypancistrus furunculus was officially described in 2007. Three scientists, Jonathan W. Armbruster, Nathan Keller Lujan, and Donald Charles Taphorn Baechle, were the ones who studied and named this fish. Naming a new species helps us understand and categorize the amazing variety of life on Earth.

See also

In Spanish: Hypancistrus furunculus para niños