Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Perciformes (Perch-likes) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Cichlasomatinae
Etymology: Parachromis: Greek, para = the side of + Greek, chromis = a fish, perhaps a perch (Ref. 45335).
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.0 - 8.7; dH range: 10 - 15; depth range 3 - 10 m (Ref. 80549). Tropical; 25°C - 36°C (Ref. 36880), preferred ?; 37°N - 9°N
Central America: Atlantic slope from the Ulua River (Honduras) to the Matina River (Costa Rica).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 55.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 40637); max. published weight: 1.6 kg (Ref. 40637)
Dorsal
spines
(total): 17 - 18;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 10-11;
Anal
spines: 6-8;
Anal
soft rays: 11 - 12. This species is distinguished by its large mouth, projecting lower jaw, prominent enlarged canine teeth, black spots on fins and body, a more or less continuous black stripe between the eye and opercular margin, another between the eye and the lower angle of the opercle; a row of black blotches along the middle of the side. Distinguished from other members of the genus by having the preopercle expanded at the angle. Body color silvery or golden-green to purple; back moss green, sides with purple iridescence, belly whitish or yellowish; dorsal, anal and caudal fins with numerous black spots, interspaces whitish, yellowish or with blue iridescence; a black blotch on the caudal-fin base. Breeding females with stronger crimson hue to the gill cover.
Inhabits lakes, preferring turbid waters and mud bottoms of the highly eutrophic lakes (Ref. 7335). Found in springs and ponds over detritus and sand bottom (Ref. 5723). Commonly found in very warm, oxygen depleted inundation lakes (Ref. 8978). Highly predaceous, feeding mainly on small fishes and macroinvertebrates (Ref. 7335; 44091). Oviparous, spawns in batches (Ref. Highly esteemed as food fish (Ref. 44091). Maximum length 63 cm TL (Ref. 5723).
Deposits up to 5,000 eggs on rocks and other hard substrates; both parents guard the eggs and resulting fry (Ref. 44091). Reported to deposit up to 10,496 eggs (Ref. 80549).
Kullander, S.O., 2003. Cichlidae (Cichlids). p. 605-654. In R.E. Reis, S.O. Kullander and C.J. Ferraris, Jr. (eds.) Checklist of the Freshwater Fishes of South and Central America. Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS, Brasil. (Ref. 36377)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Potential pest
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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