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Oxyropsis wrightiana facts for kids

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Oxyropsis wrightiana
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Synonyms
  • Hypoptopoma wrightianum (Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889)

The Oxyropsis wrightiana is a type of armored catfish. It belongs to the Loricariidae family. These fish are special because they have bony plates that cover their bodies, like armor!

You can find this fish in parts of Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. It lives in the large Amazon basin river system. This little fish can grow to be about 5.6 centimeters (about 2.2 inches) long. This measurement is called "standard length" (SL), which means it's measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail.

About the Armored Catfish

Oxyropsis wrightiana is a fascinating fish known for its unique appearance. Unlike many other fish, it has a flattened body shape. This helps it hide and move around in its river home. Its armored plates protect it from predators.

Where This Fish Lives

This armored catfish calls the amazing Amazon basin home. The Amazon basin is a huge area in South America. It includes the Amazon River and all the smaller rivers and streams that flow into it. This area is full of different kinds of plants and animals. The Oxyropsis wrightiana lives in the freshwater parts of these rivers.

Why It's Called Wrightiana

This fish was named after a Scottish-Canadian scientist named Robert Ramsay Wright. He lived from 1852 to 1933. Robert Ramsay Wright was very important in studying American catfishes. He helped us learn a lot about their bodies and how they work. The scientists who officially described this fish, Carl H. Eigenmann and Rosa Smith Eigenmann, wanted to honor him for his great work.

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