kids encyclopedia robot

Odontesthes gracilis facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Odontesthes gracilis
Conservation status
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Atheriniformes
Family: Atherinopsidae
Genus: Odontesthes
Species:
O. gracilis
Binomial name
Odontesthes gracilis
(Steindachner, 1898)
Script error: The function "autoWithCaption" does not exist.
Synonyms
  • Chirostoma gracile Steindachner, 1898
  • Atherinichthys gracilis (Steindachner, 1898)
  • Austromenidia gracilis (Steindachner, 1898)
  • Basilichthys gracilis (Steindachner, 1898)

Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".

Odontesthes gracilis is a special type of fish that belongs to the Atherinidae family. Fish in this family are often called "silversides" because they usually have shiny, silver sides. This particular fish is found only in one specific place: the Juan Fernandez Islands. These islands are located far off the coast of Chile in South America. When a species is found only in one area, it is called endemic.

Where It Lives

This unique fish likes to live in different kinds of water. You can find Odontesthes gracilis near the entrances of underwater caves. It also swims around in small bays and near piers where boats dock. This fish is very adaptable. It can live in freshwater, which is like the water in rivers and lakes. It can also live in brackish water, which is a mix of fresh and salty water, often found where rivers meet the sea. And of course, it lives in marine water, which is the salty water of the ocean.

Discovery of the Species

The Odontesthes gracilis was first officially described in 1898. A scientist named Franz Steindachner gave it the name Chirostoma gracile at that time. The place where this fish was first found and studied was an island called Más a Tierra. This island is part of the Juan Fernandez Islands. Scientists often give a "type locality" to show where a new species was first identified.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Odontesthes gracilis para niños

Black History Month on Kiddle
Renowned African-American Artists:
Kyle Baker
Joseph Yoakum
Laura Wheeler Waring
Henry Ossawa Tanner
kids search engine
Odontesthes gracilis Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.