About Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus (Spix & Agassiz, 1829)
Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus, commonly called the gold wolffish, has an elongated body with a terminal mouth. A single dark lateral stripe runs along the full length of its body. It has one dorsal fin, one anal fin, and paired pectoral and pelvic fins. A black, ocellated spot is present on its gill cover. This species reaches a standard length of 28.5 cm (11.2 in) and has a maximum recorded weight of 520 g (18 oz).
Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus is native to Central and South America. Its range spans from Panama in the north, south to Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay. It occurs in the Amazon, Magdalena, Orinoco, Paraná, and São Francisco river drainages, as well as in the coastal drainage systems of Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. The gold wolffish inhabits swamps, slow-moving or still creeks, and flooded savannas.
