Osteoglossum | |
---|---|
Osteoglossum bicirrhosum | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Osteoglossiformes |
Family: | Osteoglossidae |
Genus: |
Osteoglossum Cuvier, 1829 |
Species | |
2, see text | |
Osteoglossum is a genus of fish in the family Osteoglossidae. They reach about 1 m (3.3 ft) in length and are restricted to freshwater habitats in tropical South America. [1] [2]
These predators mostly feed on arthropods like insects and spiders, but may also take small vertebrates such as other fish, frogs, lizards, snakes, mice, bats and small birds. [3] [4] They jump up to 2 m (6.6 ft) out of the water to pick the prey off branches, tree trunks or foliage, which has earned them the local name "water monkeys". [3] They are the largest fish in the world that catch most of their food out of water. [3] When breeding, the male protects the eggs and young by carrying them in the mouth. [1] [5]
They are sometimes kept in aquariums, but they are predatory and require a very large tank. [5]
There are two species: [2]
Image | Scientific name | Common Name | Distribution |
---|---|---|---|
Osteoglossum bicirrhosum Cuvier (ex Vandelli), 1829 | Silver arowana | Amazon, Essequibo and Oyapock basins | |
Osteoglossum ferreirai Kanazawa, 1966 | Black arowana | Rio Negro basin, including the Branco River |
Osteoglossum | |
---|---|
Osteoglossum bicirrhosum | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Osteoglossiformes |
Family: | Osteoglossidae |
Genus: |
Osteoglossum Cuvier, 1829 |
Species | |
2, see text | |
Osteoglossum is a genus of fish in the family Osteoglossidae. They reach about 1 m (3.3 ft) in length and are restricted to freshwater habitats in tropical South America. [1] [2]
These predators mostly feed on arthropods like insects and spiders, but may also take small vertebrates such as other fish, frogs, lizards, snakes, mice, bats and small birds. [3] [4] They jump up to 2 m (6.6 ft) out of the water to pick the prey off branches, tree trunks or foliage, which has earned them the local name "water monkeys". [3] They are the largest fish in the world that catch most of their food out of water. [3] When breeding, the male protects the eggs and young by carrying them in the mouth. [1] [5]
They are sometimes kept in aquariums, but they are predatory and require a very large tank. [5]
There are two species: [2]
Image | Scientific name | Common Name | Distribution |
---|---|---|---|
Osteoglossum bicirrhosum Cuvier (ex Vandelli), 1829 | Silver arowana | Amazon, Essequibo and Oyapock basins | |
Osteoglossum ferreirai Kanazawa, 1966 | Black arowana | Rio Negro basin, including the Branco River |