Iberá Experience All wildlife
Jeju (Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus)
Photo: Célio Moura Neto (CC BY)
🐟 Native species of the Iberá

Jeju

Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus

The tararira's cousin with a dark stripe from head to tail. It survives nearly oxygen-free water by gulping air at the surface.

Where the water is poor and hot and almost no predator survives, it thrives: it rises to gulp air and keeps hunting. That advantage lets it occupy pools, ditches and shallow marshes that the common tararira cannot stand.

Behaviour

It lurks motionless in the vegetation and strikes in one short burst. Every so often it rises to breathe, a good moment to spot it.

How and when to see it

All year round in shallow, vegetated water. Listen for the short splash: that is it, rising to gulp air.

Where to see it in the Iberá

The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where jeju has confirmed presence:

Tours to see it

Verified providers operating at the gateways where jeju lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.

Species profile

Other species of the Iberá

Discover all the wildlife of the Iberá

More than 250 species with photos, profiles and the gateways where you can see them. Map, providers and trip planner. Free, no download needed.

Open Iberá Experience
Share this page WhatsApp

By subscribing you accept our privacy policy.