Brief
New Bright Orange Killifish Species Discovered in Brazil’s Amazon Basin
The species, Laimosemion laranja, was found in disturbed pools of the Rio Cajari drainage and measures under 3 cm.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Scientists led by Yuri Abrantes of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte reported the discovery of a new Amazonian killifish, Laimosemion laranja, in three disturbed forest pools near Laranjal do Jari, Amapá state, Brazil.
The fish, less than 3 centimetres long, displays pale gray sides with rows of orange spots and bold V‑shaped orange bars toward the tail. The name "laranja" references both the orange coloration and the local town of Laranjal do Jari.
Abrantes explained that the find expands knowledge of the Rivulidae family, which includes species that survive seasonal drying as dormant embryos. The team, which also involved researchers from the Instituto Peixe das Nuvens, the Universidade Federal do Pará and the University of West Florida, called for protection of the threatened forest‑pool habitats where the fish lives.
Key facts
- The new species is named Laimosemion laranja. (scitechdaily.com)
- It was found in three disturbed forest pools near Laranjal do Jari, Rio Cajari drainage, Amapá, Brazil. (scitechdaily.com)
- Males measure about 26.8 mm standard length; females about 20.1 mm. (scitechdaily.com)
- Researchers urge habitat protection for the forest pools. (scitechdaily.com)
Sources
- [1] scitechdaily.com — originally reported as “Scientists Discover Striking Orange Killifish in the Amazon’s Threatened Forest Pools”
