Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Cypriniformes
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Genus
- Uaru
- Species
- amphiacanthoides
Habitat
This species inhabits the slow-moving rivers and flooded forests of the Amazon basin, including areas like the Amazon, Negro, and Tapajós rivers, preferring warm, acidic waters with plenty of vegetation. They are often found in shallow, vegetated areas or near submerged logs where they can seek cover.
Diet
Uaru amphiacanthoides is omnivorous, feeding on algae, aquatic plants, insects, and small invertebrates like crustaceans and worms. They forage primarily during the day, using their specialized mouth to scrape food from surfaces or pick items from the water column.
Behavior
Uaru are social fish that form schools in the wild, often swimming in groups for protection and foraging. They are diurnal, active during the day, and can become territorial during breeding seasons, defending nesting sites aggressively. In aquariums, they exhibit curious behavior, interacting with their environment and tank mates.
Conservation Status
Listed as Not Evaluated by IUCN.