Two rows of bony plates cover its body like chain mail. When the water runs out of oxygen it rises and gulps air, which it processes in its gut: that is how it survives where other fish cannot. In spring it builds floating nests of foam and plants, visible from the walkways.
Behaviour
A bottom dweller, it stirs the mud with its barbels in search of invertebrates. The male builds and guards the foam nest.
How and when to see it
Spring and summer, when the floating foam nests give it away in marshes and vegetated edges.
Where to see it in the Iberá
The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where brown hoplo has confirmed presence:
Tours to see it
Verified providers operating at the gateways where brown hoplo lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.
- Esteros Ñe’é
Experiences with local storytelling and a cultural take on the marshes.★ 5.0 - Gaucho Argentino
Horseback journeys across a network of refuges in Iberá. Multi-day rides with overnight…★ 5.0 - Irupé Excursiones
Guided hiking. Guided visit to museums, historic sites, chapels and trails of the town…★ 5.0 - Reserva Estero Camba Trapo
Private nature reserve of Ecoposada del Estero, on the Camba Trapo road. One of the…★ 5.0
Species profile
- Common nameBrown Hoplo
- Scientific nameHoplosternum littorale
- GroupFish
- StatusNative
Other species of the Iberá
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