Anableps microlepis | |
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Anableps microlepis from Meerzorg, Suriname | |
Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Cyprinodontiformes |
Family: | Anablepidae |
Genus: | Anableps |
Species: | A. microlepis
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Binomial name | |
Anableps microlepis | |
Synonyms [1] | |
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The finescaled four-eyed fish (Anableps microlepis) is a species of four-eyed fish found in coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean from Trinidad and Tobago down to southeastern Brazil. [2] [3] [4] They mostly inhabit brackish environments such as estuaries, mangrove swamps, and tidal mudflats. It grows to approximately 30 cm (12 in) in length. [2] [5]
This fish mostly feeds on organic matter and small invertebrates. In Manzanilla, this fish was found to feed on sand crabs ( Emerita portoricensis) and small bivalves ( Donax denticulatus). [6] While looking for food, they travel up and down the coastline in large groups ranging from a dozen to more than a hundred fish. [6]
Like other members of Anableps, this species has eyes that are split into two lobes, allowing it to see above and below water at the same time. [7] They can be distinguished from the sympatric Anableps anableps by having smaller and more numerous scales (76-83 compared to the less than 64 of A. anableps). [5] They also have a left or right-leaning gonopodium like other Anablepidae members and give live birth. [8]
Anableps microlepis | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Anableps microlepis from Meerzorg, Suriname | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Cyprinodontiformes |
Family: | Anablepidae |
Genus: | Anableps |
Species: | A. microlepis
|
Binomial name | |
Anableps microlepis | |
Synonyms [1] | |
|
The finescaled four-eyed fish (Anableps microlepis) is a species of four-eyed fish found in coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean from Trinidad and Tobago down to southeastern Brazil. [2] [3] [4] They mostly inhabit brackish environments such as estuaries, mangrove swamps, and tidal mudflats. It grows to approximately 30 cm (12 in) in length. [2] [5]
This fish mostly feeds on organic matter and small invertebrates. In Manzanilla, this fish was found to feed on sand crabs ( Emerita portoricensis) and small bivalves ( Donax denticulatus). [6] While looking for food, they travel up and down the coastline in large groups ranging from a dozen to more than a hundred fish. [6]
Like other members of Anableps, this species has eyes that are split into two lobes, allowing it to see above and below water at the same time. [7] They can be distinguished from the sympatric Anableps anableps by having smaller and more numerous scales (76-83 compared to the less than 64 of A. anableps). [5] They also have a left or right-leaning gonopodium like other Anablepidae members and give live birth. [8]