Category: Fish
This distinctive ray is native to the Xingu River basin in Brazil, a tributary of the Amazon River. They are thought to dwell primarily on rocky river bottoms. They are very rare species and are threatened by habitat loss due to an increase in gold-mining, fisheries, logging, agriculture expansion, and dam construction in its Xingu River Basin home.
Hey, Fishlips!
If you’ve ever worn lipstick (or kissed anybody wearing lipstick), you’ve probably had fish scales on your lips. Of course you won’t find “herring scales from commercial fishing hauls” on the ingredients list of your cosmetics - they list it as the regal-sounding “pearl essence” or “pearlescence.” But why? Because the scales of silvery fish that capture and reflect light so beautifully in the water function the same way on your lips. So maybe next time somebody calls you “fish lips,” don’t jump to conclusions too quickly, maybe they mean it as a compliment!
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Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
