Open Access PDF - Sven Kullander

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Fig. 21. Cichla nigromaculata, MCNG 12264, 171 mm SL; Venezuela: Rio Siapa.
Fig. 22. Cichla nigromaculata, MCNG 27874, adult female, 230 mm SL; Venezuela: Rio Mavaca.
Soft dorsal fin densely scaled basally and
anteriorly to near distal margin, but scales absent
from last four interradial membranes; two or three
scale rows posterior to each ray, reduced to one
row posteriorly, a few scales between major
branches of anterior rays. Anal fin densely scaled
basally, anteriorly also to near distal margin.
Caudal fin densely scaled, covering almost all of
fin except posterior margin and middle interradial
membrane. Pelvic fin scaled anteriorly on
lateral side, basally and on anterior rays also
distally on medial side. Pectoral fin scaled basally.
Specimens 171-173 mm (Fig. 21) slightly more
elongate. Fin squamation less extensive and scales
absent from pectoral-fin base. Dorsal-fin spines
3-4 the longest. Caudal fin subtruncate.
Colouration in preservative. Adult female 230 mm
(Fig. 22) discoloured, overall brownish from
preservative and right side with several deep
incisions to some extent obscuring colour pattern.
Pattern of dark markings slightly different on
each side of specimen. Distinct dark brown spot
anterodorsally on opercle on right side only. Occipital
bar present but indistinct due to damage
from net. No other markings on head. On side
three vertical brown bars from close to dorsal-fin
base, gradually narrower down the side, bar 1
from below anterior half of dorsal fin to level of
lower lateral line, bar 2 below posterior | of
dorsal fin, to level of pectoral-fin base, bar 3 below
soft anal fin, extending little ventral to lower
lateral line. Bars 1a and 2a obsolete and much
narrower than bars 1, 2, and 3; bar 1a not evident
of left side. On left side, a black irregularly shaped
Kullander & Ferreira: Review of Cichla