Derhamia hoffmannorum is a species of freshwater fish endemic to Guyana, where it is found in the Mazaruni River. It is the only species in the genus Derhamia.[4] It is found in fresh water at pelagic depths [5] in a tropical climate.[6] The average length of an unsexed male is about 6.1 cm (2.4 in). It has an elongated body with large eyes. It is a timid species compared to other similar species such as the various pencilfish. They live near the surface of water and are known to hide whenever possible, usually under floating objects. This species only eats what can be found at the surface, as well. D. hoffmannorum will not seek food that sinks to the bottom.[4]
| Derhamia | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Lebiasinidae |
| Subfamily: | Lebiasininae |
| Genus: | Derhamia Géry & Zarske, 2002 |
| Species: | D. hoffmannorum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Derhamia hoffmannorum | |
The generic name honours Patrick de Rham, Swiss ichthyologist and aquarist (1936–2022), who collected the holotype specimens in the wild. The specific epithet is in honor of Peter Hoffman and Martin Hoffman (Salzgitter and Hanover, Germany, respectively), who acclimated other specimens to captivity, giving authors additional information about its biology that could not have been known by studying them in the wild.[7]
References
edit- ^ Taphorn, D.C.; Rodríguez-Olarte, D. (2022). "Derhamia hoffmannorum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T176169508A176169528. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T176169508A176169528.en. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ "Derhamia hoffmannorum Classification". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
- ^ "Derhamia hoffmannorum". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
- ^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Derhamia hoffmannorum". FishBase. April 2013 version. 60496.
- ^ "Derhamia hoffmannorum Géry & Zarske 2002". Fish Wise. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
- ^ "Derhamia hoffmannorum" at the Encyclopedia of Life
- ^ Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara (11 April 2024). "Family LEBIASINIDAE Gill 1889 (Pencilfishes)". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
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