Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Cichlinae
Etymology: Cichla: Greek, kichle = wrasse (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Agassiz.
Issue
Redescription based on Peruvian material in Kullander (1986:1), with diagnosis, description, distribution and illustrations.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.0 - ?. Tropical; 25°C - 28°C (Ref. 13614)
South America: Rio Solimões-Amazonas along the main channel and lower courses of tributaries; Peru, Colombia and Brazil; including Araguari and lower Oyapock rivers north of the Amazon. Probably much more widespread in the lowland Amazon basin.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?, range 20 - ? cm
Max length : 70.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 50805); max. published weight: 9.0 kg (Ref. 35237)
Diagnosis: This species is similar to C. kelberi and C. pleiozona in having three dark vertical bars on side, presence of a pronounced occipital bar in large specimens, absence of black or ocellated markings laterally on head, and presence of irregular dark blotches on anterior abdominal side. Differs from C. pleiozona by having less scales in a lateral row (68-87 vs. 84-93 in C. pleiozona) and typical absence of dark vertical bar anteriorly on caudal peduncle, and from C. kelberi by absence of light spots on anal and pelvic fins and lower caudal fin (Ref. 57716).
Specimens collected were from flood prone areas, but in the Amazon the biotopes are more varied. This fish forays along the shore where small fishes may be concentrated. Juveniles feed on shrimps, while adults are almost exclusively piscivore. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Males are sexually mature after one year while females mature after two years. During reproduction which is not markedly seasonal, large males develop a frontal hump and become territorial (Ref. 35237). Maximum length 80 cm TL (Ref. 35237).
Oviparous (Ref. 205). May spawn 3-4 times a year in batches of 50 to 100 eggs, each spawning lasting 2-3 hours (Ref. 50805).
Kullander, S.O. and E.J.G. Ferreira, 2006. A review of the South American cichlid genus Cichla, with descriptions of nine new species. Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwat. 17(4):289-398. (Ref. 57716)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01175 (0.00693 - 0.01992), b=3.06 (2.91 - 3.21), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this species & Genus-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.9 ±0.66 se; based on food items.
Generation time: 4.4 ( na - na) years. Estimated as median ln(3)/K based on 2
growth studies.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec=150-400).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Moderate to high vulnerability (54 of 100).
