Gnathocharax

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Gnathocharax
Gnathocharax steindachneri.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Characiformes
Family: Acestrorhynchidae
Subfamily: Heterocharacinae
Genus: Gnathocharax
Fowler, 1913 [2]
Species:
G. steindachneri
Binomial name
Gnathocharax steindachneri
Fowler, 1913 [3]

Gnathocharax, is a monospecific genus of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acestrorhynchidae, which includes the freshwater barracudas and the biting tetras. The only species in the genus is Gnathocharax steindachneri, [3] also known as the arowana tetra. [4] This is fish found in tropical freshwater habitats in the Orinoco and Amazon Basins of South America.

Contents

Taxonomy

Ganthocharax was first proposed as a genus in 1913 by the American zoologist Henry Weed Fowler when he described its only species, G. steindachneri. [2] Fowler gave the type locality of this species as the Igarapé de Candelaria, a tributary of the Rio Madeira and about 2 miles (3.2 km) distant, at 8°45'S, 63°54'W, in Brazil. [3] This taxon was formerly classified in the family Characidae but is now classified within the subfamily Heterocharacinae, the small biting tetras, of the family Acestrorhynchidae, [2] within the suborder Characoidei of the order Characiformes. [5]

Etymology

Ganthocharax combines gnáthos, meaning "jaw" in Greek, an allusion to the angled elongated maxilla, with charax, meaning a "palisade". Charax is a reference to its dense, sharp teeth and is a common element in the scientific names of characins. The specific name honours Franz Steindachner, the Austrian ichthyologist. [6]

Description

Gnathocharax has a maximum standard length of 5 cm (2.0 in). [7] This taxon has a thin, laterally compressed body. Both jaws have prominent, protruding teeth and the mouth points upwards. The background colour is silvery witha greenish iridescence with a black blotch with red spots on its anterior and posterior margins on the caudal peduncle. There is a red crescent around the eyes and there is a scattering of small black spots on the otherwise transparent fins. [8]

Distribution

Gnathocharax is found un the drainages of the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers and has been recorded from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Venezuela. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 Frederico, R.G. (2022). "Gnathocharax steindachneri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2022: e.T49829922A174233346. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T49829922A174233346.en . Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Genera in the family Heterocharacinae". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Gnathocharax". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  4. ↑ "Arowana Tetra (Gnathocharax steindachneri)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  5. ↑ R. Fricke; W. N. Eschmeyer; R. van der Laan (2025). "ESCHMEYER'S CATALOG OF FISHES: CLASSIFICATION". California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  6. ↑ Christopher Scharpf (11 June 2025). "Family ACESTRORHYNCHIDAE Eigenmann 1912 (Freshwater Barracudas and Biting Tetras)". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  7. ↑ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Gnathocharax steindachneri". FishBase . April 2025 version.
  8. ↑ "Arowana Tetra - Gnathocharax steindachneri Fish Profile & Care Guide". Aquadiction. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
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