Shortfin minidartfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shortfin minidartfish |
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The shortfin minidartfish (scientific name: Aioliops brachypterus) is a tiny fish. It's a type of dartfish. You can only find it in the clear lagoons around Miniloc Island. This island is located in El Nido, Philippines. This little fish is usually about 17 to 24 millimeters long. That's less than an inch! It has a body that is grayish or pink. A bright yellow stripe runs along its side. There's also a dark spot on its tail fin. These fish love to swim together in groups. Sometimes, a group can have up to 50 fish!
What's in a Name? (Taxonomy)
The shortfin minidartfish was first described in 1987. Two scientists, Denise S. Rennis and Douglass F. Hoese, gave it its scientific name. They found the first examples of this fish in 1984. This was on Miniloc Island in the Philippines.
The fish belongs to a group called Aioliops. This group is part of the Gobiidae family. This family includes many types of gobies. The name brachypterus comes from ancient Greek words. Brachy- means "short," and pteron means "fin." This name describes the fish well. It has fins that are shorter than other fish in its group.
Where Does It Live? (Distribution and Habitat)
The shortfin minidartfish only lives in the lagoons of Miniloc Island. This makes it an endemic species. This means it's found nowhere else in the world! They live in water that is about 3 to 10 meters deep. That's like swimming at the bottom of a swimming pool. As mentioned, they often swim in groups of up to 50 fish.
Sadly, the shortfin minidartfish is currently listed as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN Red List. This means it could be in danger of disappearing if we don't protect its home.
What Does It Look Like? (Description)
The shortfin minidartfish is a very small fish. It's usually about 17 to 20 millimeters long. The longest ones can be up to 24 millimeters. What makes it special is that it has no scales on its body. Most fish have scales, but not this one!
It has a rounded snout, which is its nose area. Its fins are short, which is why it's called "shortfin." Its body color can be gray or a light pink. A bright yellow stripe goes from its snout all the way to its tail fin. Its other fins are a pretty bluish color. There's a big dark spot right at the base of its tail fin.
Male and female shortfin minidartfish look quite similar. However, there are a few differences. Males usually have a darker head and back. Their yellow stripe is also wider. In females, the yellow stripe is thinner. It also extends further onto their head, past their gill openings. The fins on the belly (pelvic fins) are also longer in males.
