Arnoldichthys | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
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 | |
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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.
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]
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]