Odontesthes gracilis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Odontesthes gracilis |
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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
In Spanish: Odontesthes gracilis para niños
