Globally, there are roughly 30,000 species of fish, with about 18,000 of those thriving in freshwater habitats (World Atlas; World Wildlife Fund, 2021). Within the vast Amazon basin, approximately 3,000 species call these waters home. These fish are not only diverse but are also crucial to the freshwater ecosystem. Serving as herbivores, carnivores, and detritivores, they help maintain a delicate balance within their environment. Additionally, some species migrate throughout the Amazon river system, transporting essential nutrients and seeds that support the region’s rich biodiversity. In the complex web of life in the Amazon, fish are indispensable—second only to plants and algae in their importance to ecosystem health.

References:

How Many Species of Fish are there? World Atlas

https://www.worldatlas.com/animals/how-many-species-of-fish-are-there.html

(February 23,2021) One-third of freshwater fish face extinction and other freshwater fish facts World Wildlife Fund

https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/one-third-of-freshwater-fish-face-extinction-and-other-freshwater-fish-facts#:~:text=51%25%20of%20all%20fish%20species,all%20the%20world's%20vertebrate%20species.

Fish in the Amazon Rivers World Wildlife Fund

https://wwf.panda.org/discover/knowledge_hub/where_we_work/amazon/about_the_amazon/wildlife_amazon/fish/#:~:text=Amazon%20fish%20%7C%20WWF&text=While%20things%20may%20seem%20relatively,than%203%2C000%20species%20of%20fish