Hoplocharax

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Hoplocharax
Hoplocharax goethei.png
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Characiformes
Family: Acestrorhynchidae
Subfamily: Heterocharacinae
Genus: Hoplocharax
Géry, 1966 [2]
Species:
H. goethei
Binomial name
Hoplocharax goethei
Géry, 1966 [3]

Hoplocharax 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 Hoplocharax goethei which is found in South America.

Contents

Taxonomy

Hoplocharax was first proposed as a genus in 1966 by the French ichthyologist Jacques Géry when he described its only species, H. goethei. [2] Géry gave the type locality of this species as the "Igarapé da Mae Joana", near Manaus on the lower Rio Negro in Brazil. [3] This taxon classified within the subfamily Heterocharacinae, the small biting tetras, of the family Acestrorhynchidae, [2] within the suborder Characoidei of the order Characiformes. [4]

Etymology

Hoplocharax combines hoplon , meaning "shield" or "armour" in Greek although in this case it is used to mean "armed" and to refer to the spine in the pectoral fin, 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 Charles M. Goethe, the American eugenicist, entrepreneur, land developer, philanthropist, conservationist and founder of Sacramento State College in recognition of his “support of scientists and students in the fields of biology, conservation, and education”. [5]

Description

Hoplocharax has a maximum standard length of 3.0 cm (1.2 in). [6]

Distribution

Hoplocharax is found in South America where it is found in the upper basins of the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers in Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 Frederico, R.G. (2022). "Hoplocharax goethei". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2022: e.T164511617A164511622. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T164511617A164511622.en . Retrieved 28 August 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 Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Hoplocharax". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  4. ↑ R. Fricke; W. N. Eschmeyer; R. van der Laan (2025). "ESCHMEYER'S CATALOG OF FISHES: CLASSIFICATION". California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Hoplocharax steindachneri". FishBase . April 2025 version.

Notes

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