Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Cichlinae
Etymology: Cichla: Greek, kichle = wrasse (Ref. 45335); melaniae: Named for Melanie L. J. Stiassny, curator of fishes in the American Museum of Natural History.
Eponymy: Dr Melanie Lisa Jane Stiassny (d: 1953) is Curator of Fishes at the American Museum of Natural History. (See Stiaassny) (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on authors: Kullander & Ferreira.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical; 30°C - 32°C (Ref. 57716)
South America: Brazil, restricted to the Lower Rio Xingu drainage.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 36.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 111518); max. published weight: 710.00 g (Ref. 111518)
Diagnosis: Distinguished by narrow vertical bars 1-3, and numerous minute white spots scattered over flanks, including many ocellated spots. Bars 1a and 2a are commonly present, narrow and distinct. Complete lateral band present in juveniles. Lateral line not continuous. This species is similar to C. mirianae, but light spots are absent from side of head (vs. present or absent), large midlateral ocelli absent from side (vs. present), and E1 scales 78-85 (vs. 72-80) (Ref. 57716).
Specimens collected from Balneário do Pedral were in shallow water, pH 6.5, less than 1 dGH, and temperature 30- 32°C, in strong current among lava rocks (Ref. 57716).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
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 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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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 (0.00684 - 0.02019), 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): 4.1 ±0.5 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low to moderate vulnerability (26 of 100).