THE STEINHART AQUARIUM - Gulf of Guinea Science ...

156 A Docent Field Guide to the Species of the Steinhart Aquarium
on sides and series of dark spots in between.
A large black spot encircled by silver adorns
the caudal fin. Max. length: 60 cm.
Diet: Diurnal feeders on other fishes. Highspeed
pursuit predators.
Reproduction and Development: Substrate
spawner. Both parents guard their clutch for
about 9 weeks. Like most cichlids, breeding
pairs are highly territorial and aggressive.
Remarks: Legally introduced to Florida. Are
considered a prized sport and food fish.
Speckled Pavon
Cichla temensis (Cichlidae)
Cichlids
Distribution: South America: Amazon and
Orinoco basins. Introduced to Florida and
Texas.
Habitat: Occupies deeper littoral areas in lagoons
and sandy and rocky banks of the main
river channel.
Appearance: Length to 99 cm. Weight to 12.2 kg.
Ventral surface usually white. Three, wide, dark
horizontal bars on body. Body typically covered
with a series of white longitudinal dots. Dark
false eyespot on emarginated caudal fin.
Diet: Adults feed mainly on small fish (especially
characids less than 10 cm).
Reproduction and Development: External
fertilization. Build and guard nests. Very high
reproductive rate; females produce 9000–15,000
eggs per kg and spawn every other month.
Remarks: Commercial gamefish, also collected
for the aquarium trade.
Pike Cichlid
Crenicichla lepidota (Cichlidae)
Cichlids
Distribution: South America: extreme southern
Amazonia in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and
northern Argentina
Habitat: Riverine.
Appearance: Dorsal surface dark, ventral
surface whitish, prominent horizontal blackish
stripe from head to tail. Length to 18 cm.
Diet: Insects, worms, and other fishes. Ambush
predators.
Reproduction and Development: Females
reach sexual maturity at 14 cm, males at 18
cm. Fertilization is external. Nests are guarded.
Ringtail Pike Cichlid
Crenicichla saxatilis (Cichlidae)
Cichlids
Distribution: South America: coastal drainage
of Suriname, French Guiana, Guyana,
Venezuela, and Trinidad.
Habitat: Freshwater streams; sometimes
captured in rivers during the dry season.
Appearance: Max. length: 25 cm. Sometimes
referred to as “spangled pikes” due to the
sparkling white specks that decorate their
bodies.
Diet: Aquatic insects, fish, and plant material.
Reproduction: 300-400 eggs are laid and
fertilized, often in a large cave. After 4–6 days
the eggs hatch; another 5 days later the young
fish are swimming free.
Mortality/Longevity: Life span: 5–6 years.
Remarks: A formidable predator, this species
is kept only with larger fish for obvious
reasons.
Earth-eater Cichlid
Geophagus altifrons (Cichlidae)
Cichlids
Distribution: South America: Amazon basin.
Habitat: Freshwater.
Appearance: Length to 22 cm. Protruding mouth.
Head has red weblike markings. Spiky fins.
Diet: Common name derived from this fish’s
almost constant digging in the sand for prey.
Reproduction and Development: Fish in
this genus are mouth brooders. The parents
take turns brooding and spit the fry into the
partner’s mouth when their shift is over.
Remarks: Genus name translates as “eartheater.”
This common name applies to many
species.
A small, but popular food fish.
Texas Cichlid
Herichthys cyanoguttatus (Cichlidae)
Cichlids
Distribution: Originally restricted to the lower
Rio Grande drainage in Texas and south to
northeastern Mexico. Introduced to central
Texas and central Florida.
Habitat: Pools and open runs of rivers; prefers
warm water and areas with vegetation.
Appearance: Light grey with many small