Rineloricaria daraha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rineloricaria daraha |
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The Rineloricaria daraha is a special kind of catfish that belongs to the Loricariidae family. These fish are native to South America. They were first discovered in the fast-flowing waters, called cataracts, of the Daraá River in the Amazonas state of Brazil.
Later, in 2016, scientists found this same fish in the Paca River, which is a smaller river that flows into the Rio Negro in Colombia. This discovery showed that the Rineloricaria daraha lives in a much wider area than first thought! This fish can grow to about 20.1 centimeters (around 7.9 inches) long. It's also believed to be a "facultative air-breather," which means it can breathe air from above the water if it needs to, especially when there isn't enough oxygen in the water.
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Where Does This Catfish Live?
The Rineloricaria daraha catfish makes its home in the rivers of South America. It was first found in the Daraá River in Brazil. This river is known for its "cataracts," which are like small waterfalls or rapids. These areas have fast-moving water.
Finding New Homes
Even though it was first known from Brazil, scientists later found the Rineloricaria daraha in Colombia. This new discovery happened in the Paca River. The Paca River is a branch of the much larger Rio Negro. This means the fish's home range is bigger than people first thought. It shows how much more there is to learn about the amazing creatures in the Amazon region!
What Does the Daraha Catfish Look Like?
The Rineloricaria daraha is a type of catfish. Like many catfish, it likely has a flattened body and a mouth designed for feeding on the riverbed. It can grow to a size of about 20.1 centimeters. This is almost 8 inches long, which is about the length of a standard pencil.
Breathing Air When Needed
One cool thing about the Rineloricaria daraha is that it's a "facultative air-breather." This means it has a special ability to breathe air from the surface of the water. It doesn't always need to do this, but it can if the water doesn't have enough oxygen. This skill helps it survive in different river conditions.
See also
In Spanish: Rineloricaria daraha para niños
