Arnoldichthys

Arnoldichthys
Conservation status
Endangered  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Characiformes
Family:	Lepidarchidae
Genus:	Arnoldichthys G. S. Myers, 1926
Species:	A. spilopterus
Binomial name
Arnoldichthys spilopterus (Boulenger, 1909)
Synonyms
Petersius spilopterusBoulenger, 1909

Arnoldichthys is monospecific genus of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Lepidarchidae, the African tetras. The only species in the genus is Arnoldichthys spilopterus, the Niger tetra. This taxon is endemic to Nigeria.

Description and ecology

Arnoldichthys is a tropical freshwater species found only in a limited number of locations in Nigeria (Ogun and Niger rivers). ^[1] Males are on average 9.6 centimetres (3.8 in) long. Its diet consists of worms, insects, and, crustaceans. Females in captivity can lay about 1,000 eggs, which hatch within 30–34 hours. ^[2]

Conservation

Arnoldichthys is currently classified as endangered by the IUCN due to its limited range coupled with losses to the aquarium trade and ongoing habitat degradation. ^[1]

References

1. Olaosebikan, B.D. & Lalèyè, P. (2020). "Arnoldichthys spilopterus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020 e.T182186A134739812. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T182186A134739812.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
2. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Arnoldichthys spilopterus". FishBase . September 2015 version.