+35 freshwater animals

Fish represent the largest group of animals present in freshwater ecosystems . In rivers, lakes, ponds, streams and ponds, fish are primarily responsible for filling these precious aquatic ecosystems with life. Some of them are very common species that inhabit different parts of the world and that, sometimes, are part of our diet, as is the case of:

• Salmon (genus Salmo).
• Common trout ( Salmo trutta ).
• Sturgeon ( Acipenser sturio ).

Other freshwater fish, on the other hand, are known worldwide for their dangerousness, such as:

• Piranhas (subfamily Serrasalminae).
• Electric eels (Gimnotydae family).
• Bull or Sardinian shark ( Carcharhinus leucas ).

Other species of freshwater fish stand out for their gigantic size, such as the following:

• Giant freshwater Mekong fish ( Pangasianodon gigas ).
• Crocodile fish ( Lepisosteus osseus ).
• Nile perch fish ( Lates niloticus ).

Before going on to know more examples of animals from other groups that inhabit freshwater, let’s meet in the next section one of the most surprising cartilaginous freshwater fish : the freshwater stingray.

Belonging to the Potamotrygonidae family of cartilaginous fish, freshwater or river stingrays inhabit rivers in all the countries of South America, with the exception of Chile.

From the basin of the gigantic Amazon River, as well as in the Río de la Plata that separates Argentina and Uruguay, and at the mouth of rivers to the Caribbean Sea, freshwater stingrays find their ideal habitat to grow and reproduce. Like other species of rays, they are characterized by the presence of a poisonous stinger on their tails, which is why they are considered one of the most dangerous freshwater fish species in South America.

Many species of mammals choose fresh waters to spend part or all of their lives in it. Some of the examples of mammalian freshwater animals are:

• Otters (subfamily Lutrinae), known to be great swimmers.
• Coipos or quiyás ( Myocastor coypus ), these being one of the most abundant and characteristic aquatic rodents of river ecosystems.
• Beavers are one of the best known freshwater mammals in North America ( Castor canadensis ) and Eurasia ( Castor fiber ). They are known for their amazing ability to build natural levees in rivers and streams.

Other examples of freshwater mammals are the shy and elusive Amazon River dolphins ( Inia geoffrensis ). Also keep in mind the semi-aquatic platypus ( Ornithorhynchus anatinus ) and hippos (family hippopotamidae), both characterized by spending part of their time on land and in fresh water.

Also commonly known as “water cows”, manatees (genus Trichechus) are amazing mammals that live in both fresh and salt water. There are three species, whose common names refer to the region of the planet in which they live: Caribbean manatee, Amazonian manatee and African manatee.

Currently, there are sanctuaries and protection and conservation areas for these freshwater mammals cataloged in danger of extinction , since for decades they have suffered hunting and reduction of their natural habitats as a result of irresponsible activities of human beings. You can find out more about their situation in this other article about The endangered manatee .

Whether it is to seek food or shelter, or even to mate, there are many species of birds that include freshwater habitats as one of their favorite natural spaces. Among the freshwater aquatic birds , species such as:

• Wild ducks or mallards ( Anas platyrhynchos ).
• Swans (genus Cignu).
• Geese and geese (Anserinae subfamily).
• Gray herons ( Ardea cinerea.
• Grullas ( Grus grus ).
• Kingfisher (family Alcedinidae).
• Cormorant (genus Phalacrocorax).
• Ibis (subfamilia Threskiornithinae).
• Pink spatulas ( Roseate spoonbill ).
• Flamingos (genus Phoenicopterus ).

These and other species spend a large part of their life in freshwater areas, always looking for a fish to take to the peak and, at the same time, they form a great spectacle of nature when strolling along the banks and through the waters of rivers. lakes, ponds, etc. If you want to know many species of birds that live in water habitats, we recommend this other post about Waterfowl: characteristics, types, names and photos .

Reptiles also choose to spend part of their time in freshwater areas, either to stay hidden, waiting to quickly stalk their prey, or simply to spend the hot hours submerged in the water. Some of the most prominent examples of freshwater reptiles are:

• Alligator americano ( Alligator mississippiensis ).
• Diamond rattlesnake ( Crotalus adamanteus ).
• Lagarto green basilisk ( Basiliscus plumifrons ).

On the other hand, there are many species of turtles that choose fresh water as their natural habitat, this being the case of the well-known Florida tortoise ( Trachemys scripta elegans ), which reaches many homes as pets and is then released from irresponsibly in freshwater ecosystems, in which they have become large and dangerous pests of exotic species that displace other native animal species. In this other post you can learn more names of species of freshwater turtles with photos .

As for the amphibians that stand out for living in fresh waters, we find the American bullfrog ( Lithobates catesbeianus ) and the striking newts or salamanders (Caudata order).

In addition to the different examples of freshwater vertebrate animals that we have seen so far, there are numerous species of different groups of invertebrates that inhabit freshwater . Among this type of freshwater aquatic animals, mollusks, crustaceans and other groups stand out. Some species are:

• Freshwater snails ( Planorbella trivolvis ).
• Crayfish (superfamilies Astacoidea and Parastacoidea).
• Freshwater Shrimp ( Macrobrachium acanthurus ).
• Freshwater Lobster ( Cherax quadricarinatus ).
• Freshwater prawn or Malaysian giant shrimp ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ).
• Leeches (genus Hirudinea).

Learn more about this interesting ecosystem with this other AgroCorrn article on What are freshwater ecosystems with examples .

If you want to read more articles similar to +35 Freshwater Animals , we recommend that you enter our Wild Animals category .