# Ameca splendens The Ameca splendens, also known as the Butterfly Goodeid, is a small fish that has beautiful colors and patterns. They live in freshwater and are known for their friendly nature and playful behavior. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Freshwater rivers and lakes ![Ameca splendens](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ameca_splendens_male.JPG&width=800) Photo: Marie France Janelle, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ameca_splendens_male.JPG) ## Appearance The Ameca splendens is a sleek, small mammal, typically sporting a glossy reddish-brown coat with a faint iridescent sheen. It has large, dark eyes, prominent ears, and a distinctive white patch on its chest, making it visually unique among forest creatures. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Cyprinodontiformes - **Family:** Goodeidae - **Genus:** Ameca ## Interesting facts - An Ameca splendens can rotate its head almost 180 degrees to look for danger! - Baby Ameca splendens are born blind and hairless, relying completely on their mother for care. - Despite their small size, Ameca splendens are excellent climbers, often found scurrying up trees! - They communicate with each other using a series of high-pitched squeaks and chirps! ## Special abilities - **Keen Olfactory Sense:** Ameca splendens can detect hidden food and approaching predators with an incredibly keen sense of smell, helping them survive in dense environments. - **Rapid Burrowing Prowess:** Ameca splendens can rapidly dig intricate burrows using strong forelimbs, which provides them safe, quick shelter from danger and weather. - **Dappled Camouflage:** Ameca splendens has a subtly shimmering coat that helps them blend perfectly into dappled forest light, making them hard to spot. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 20-35 cm - **Weight:** 0.5-2 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-8 years - **Speed:** 28 km/h - **Litter Size:** 3-7 - **Gestation:** 25-40 days ## Diet & Feeding An omnivore, this tiny mammal enjoys a varied diet of plants, insects, and fruits. - **Primary Foods:** Berries, Insects, Seeds, Mushrooms, Small invertebrates - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — A common predator in their forest habitat. - **Depends on:** weeping fig (*Ficus benjamina*) — Consumes its fruits and uses its branches for shelter. - **Eats:** leafcutter ant (*Atta cephalotes*) — Forages for these ants and their nutritious larvae. - **Eaten by:** [great horned owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — A nocturnal predator that hunts small mammals. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always be careful around water and ask an adult before going swimming. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Ameca splendens? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Ameca splendens? 20-35 cm ### How much does Ameca splendens weigh? 0.5-2 kg ### How long does Ameca splendens live? 3-8 years ### How fast can Ameca splendens move? 28 km/h ### What does Ameca splendens eat? An omnivore, this tiny mammal enjoys a varied diet of plants, insects, and fruits. ### Where is Ameca splendens usually found? Freshwater rivers and lakes ### How does Ameca splendens hunt? Foraging ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Ameca splendens: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ameca-splendens)