Creagrutus lepidus

Creagrutus lepidus is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a characin, belonging to the family Stevardiidae.^[1]

Creagrutus lepidus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Characiformes
Family:	Stevardiidae
Genus:	Creagrutus
Species:	C. lepidus
Binomial name
Creagrutus lepidus Vari & Harold, Lasso & Machado-Allison, 1993 Vari & Harold, 2001

Location

It is native to South America, occurring in the Aroa and Urama River basins of the Caribbean versant drainage in Venezuela. These basins form part of the northern coastal watershed that flows directly into the Caribbean Sea, a region characterized by short, steep rivers descending from the coastal ranges. Seasonal rainfall patterns strongly influence their hydrology, producing alternating periods of high discharge and low flow that shape aquatic habitats. The Aroa and Urama rivers support diverse freshwater communities adapted to these dynamic conditions, including species with restricted distributions tied to coastal drainages. Their location along the Caribbean versant underscores the ecological distinctiveness of Venezuela’s northern river systems, which serve as important biogeographic links between inland waters and coastal marine environments.

Size

This species reaches a length of 4.7 cm (1.9 in).^[2]

Etymology

The species name is derived from Latin, meaning ‘pleasant,’ ‘agreeable,’ or ‘elegant,’ in reference to its distinctive pigmentation, notably the well‑developed dark midlateral stripe.^[3]