Don’t Like Eating Meat, New Piranha Fish Species Discovered

LIMA – Scientists discovered a new species of piranha-like fish in Amazon Brazil and named him Sauron, inspired by the name of the main villain in Lord of the Rings.

This fish belongs to the genus Myloplus and is classified as a plant-eating fish, in contrast to piranhas which are carnivores.

As reported by Science Alert, its characteristic is its round body with orange and black patterns on the sides, resembling the evil eye of Sauron.

Myloplus sauron is found in the Xingu River Valley, a tributary of the Amazon River in Brazil. The area is renowned for its biodiversity, with over 600 species of fish, of which 70 are found nowhere else in the world.

This discovery is a reminder that there are still many unknown species in the Amazon, and more research is needed to understand the extraordinary biodiversity there.

The name “Sauron” was chosen because of the orange and black markings on his body that resemble Sauron’s evil eye.
Vegetarian fish:

Unlike piranhas which are carnivores, Myloplus sauron is a plant-eating fish and has teeth similar to humans.

Myloplus sauron is only found in the Xingu River Valley, and its population is believed to be small.
Important for biodiversity:

The discovery of Myloplus sauron shows how rich the biodiversity of the Amazon is, and that there are still many unknown species there.

(wbs)