Cichlasomatinae
Encyclopedia
Cichlasomatinae is a subfamily of cichlid
fishes. It includes all ciclids native to islands in the Caribbean
(Cuba
and Hispaniola
), USA (southern Texas
), Mexico
and Central America
, and many of the cichlids from South America
(the other South American subfamilies are Astronotinae
, Cichlinae
, Geophaginae
and Retroculinae
). The subfamily Cichlasomatinae is often divided into two tribes
: Cichlasomatini and Heroini
.
Cichlid
Cichlids are fishes from the family Cichlidae in the order Perciformes. Cichlids are members of a group known as the Labroidei along with the wrasses , damselfish , and surfperches . This family is both large and diverse. At least 1,300 species have been scientifically described, making it one of...
fishes. It includes all ciclids native to islands in the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
(Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
and Hispaniola
Hispaniola
Hispaniola is a major island in the Caribbean, containing the two sovereign states of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The island is located between the islands of Cuba to the west and Puerto Rico to the east, within the hurricane belt...
), USA (southern Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
), Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
, and many of the cichlids from South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
(the other South American subfamilies are Astronotinae
Astronotinae
Astronotinae is a subfamily of cichlids from South America, where they are found in the Amazon, Orinoco, Paraná and Paraguay river basins, and various rivers in the Guianas. The subfamily includes three genera, each with two species....
, Cichlinae
Cichlinae
Cichlinae is a subfamily of South American fishes in the cichlid family. They are predatory and relatively elongated in shape. Of the three genera in the subfamily, some species of Cichla reach almost in length, making them by far the largest cichlids of the Americas, and among the largest...
, Geophaginae
Geophaginae
Geophaginae is a subfamily of cichlid fishes from South America, where they are found as far west as the Andes and as far south as northern Argentina...
and Retroculinae
Retroculinae
Retroculus is a fish genus from the cichlid family. It is the only member of the Retroculinae subfamily. Of the three described species, two are native to rivers in southeastern Amazon Basin in Brazil, while the final is native to rivers in Amapá and French Guiana...
). The subfamily Cichlasomatinae is often divided into two tribes
Tribe (biology)
In biology, a tribe is a taxonomic rank between family and genus. It is sometimes subdivided into subtribes.Some examples include the tribes: Canini, Acalypheae, Hominini, Bombini, and Antidesmeae.-See also:* Biological classification* Rank...
: Cichlasomatini and Heroini
Heroini
Heroini is a fish tribe from the Cichlasomatinae subfamily in the cichlid family. It includes more than 150 species. All cichlids from islands in the Caribbean, USA , Mexico and Central America are members of this tribe, but it also includes species from South America where other tribes exist...
.
Genera
- AcaroniaAcaroniaAcaronia is a small genus of cichlids with two species. They are found in the Amazon, Orinoco and other basins in northern South America....
- AequidensAequidensAequidens is a genus of fish in the family Cichlidae. The genus itself is poorly defined and polyphyletic. Many species have been reallocated to other genera such as Bujurquina, Laetacara, Tahuantinsuyoa , Krobia and Cleithracara .Two fishes commonly sold in the aquarium hobby are Aequidens rivulatus...
- AmatitlaniaAmatitlaniaAmatitlania is a small genus of cichlid fishes from Central America. The genus currently contains four species. The genus is closely related to Archocentrus and Cryptoheros, and contains the convict cichlids that were previously placed in those genera. The genus was erected by Juan Schmitter-Soto...
- AmphilophusAmphilophusAmphilophus is a genus of cichlid fishes from Central America. The genus currently contains 23 species. However, a 2008 study led by Oldrich Rican suggested that several species within Amphilophus should be moved to the genus Astatheros. Species proposed to be moved to Astatheros are A. alfari,...
- ArchocentrusArchocentrusArchocentrus is a small genus of cichlid fishes from Central America. The genus currently contains 3 species. It formerly included 7 of the species now included in the genus Cryptoheros, as well as the convict cichlid, now included in the genus Amatitlania. The Rainbow Cichlid, Archocentrus...
- BujurquinaBujurquinaBujurquina is a genus of cichlid fish endemic to South America. The genus contains 17 species.-Species:*Bujurquina apoparuana Kullander, 1986 *Bujurquina cordemadi Kullander, 1986 *Bujurquina eurhinus Kullander, 1986...
- CaquetaiaCaquetaiaCaquetaia is a small genus of cichlid fishes from Central and South America. The genus currently contains four species.-Species:*Caquetaia kraussii Steindachner, 1878 *Caquetaia myersi Schultz, 1944...
- CichlasomaCichlasomaCichlasoma is a genus of fish in the cichlid family.The genus was previously very large, including cichlids from Texas, North America, through all of Central America to parts of South America....
- Cleithracara
- CryptoherosCryptoherosCryptoheros is a small genus of cichlid fishes from Central America and southeast Mexico. The genus currently contains 9 species. It includes species formerly included within the genus Archocentrus. The convict cichlid has sometimes been placed within the genus Cryptoheros as well, but is now...
- GuianacaraGuianacaraGuianacara is a small genus of cichlid fish endemic to South America.-Species:There are currently seven described species of Guianacara.*Guianacara cuyunii...
- HerichthysHerichthysHerichthys is a small genus of cichlid fishes. Most are endemic to Mexico, but H. cyanoguttatus is also found in southern Texas , and has been introduced to central Texas and Florida...
- Heroina
- HerosHeros genusHeros is a genus which includes several fish species in the Cichlidae family. They are native to rivers in the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America...
- Hoplarchus
- HypselecaraHypselecaraHypselecara is a small genus of cichlid fish with only two species. They are native to the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America. H. temporalis is a relatively common aquarium fish known in the aquarium trade as the chocolate cichild....
- HypsophrysHypsophrysHypsophrys is a small genus of cichlid fishes from Central America. The genus currently contains 2 species. It originally contained just H. nicaraguensis but was revised in 2007 to include the poor man's tropheus, or neet, H...
- Krobia
- LaetacaraLaetacaraLaetacara is a small genus of five species of fish, endemic to soft, acidic freshwater habitats in South America. Laetacara is part of the family Cichlidae and is included in subfamily Cichlasomatinae. The genus is also collectively known as the smiling acaras. The range of the genus extends from...
- MesonautaMesonautaMesonauta is a small genus of six species of fish, endemic to soft, acidic freshwater habitats in South America. Mesonauta is part of the family Cichlidae and is included in subfamily Cichlasomatinae...
- NandopsisNandopsisNandopsis is a small genus of cichlid fishes found in lakes, streams and rivers in Cuba and Hispaniola. If disregarding Trinidad and Tobago , Nandopsis are the only cichlids native to the Antilles.-Species:The genus currently contains three species, although some...
- NannacaraNannacaraNannacara is a genus of small freshwater cichlid fish endemic to South America. The genus is part of the Cichlasomatini tribe of the Cichlasomatinae subfamily. In the aquarium hobby, the fish is considered a dwarf cichlid along with Apistogramma, Mikrogeophagus, and Dicrossus species...
- Neetroplus – now often included in Hypsophrys instead.
- ParachromisParachromisParachromis is a genus of freshwater fishes from the family Cichlidae. The genus contains 5 species and is limited in its distribution to Central America. Some species occur in Lake Nicaragua and Lake Managua. All species are predatory and relatively large for cichlids.Parachromis friedrichsthalii...
- ParaneetroplusParaneetroplusParaneetroplus is a small genus of cichlids with only three species. They are endemic to rivers on the Atlantic slope in Mexico....
- PeteniaPeteniaPetenia is a monotypic cichlid genus. The single species, Petenia splendida, is a large predatory fish that occurs in Mexico, Guatemala and Belize.FishBase name: Bay snookMax. size: 50.0 cm TL Petenia is a monotypic cichlid genus. The single species, Petenia splendida, is a large (50 cm)...
- PterophyllumPterophyllumPterophyllum is a small genus of freshwater fish from the family Cichlidae known to most aquarists as "Angelfish". All Pterophyllum species originate from the Amazon River, Orinoco River and Essequibo River basins in tropical South America...
- RocioRocioRocio is a small genus of cichlid fishes from Mexico and northern Central America. The genus currently contains 3 species. It was established in 2007 as the genus for the Jack Dempsey and its close relatives.-Species:...
- Symphysodon
- TahuantinsuyoaTahuantinsuyoaTahuantinsuyoa is a small genus of cichlids with only two species. They are endemic to the Amazon Basin in Peru....
- TherapsTherapsTheraps is a small fish genus from the cichlidae family. They are endemic to Central America, ranging from Mexico to Panama. Several Theraps sp. have been found across the southern United States as invasive species....
- ThorichthysThorichthysThorichthys is a genus of cichlids from Central America. They have somewhat pointy heads and stripes down their body, and tend to inhabit slow-moving or standing water. The best-known species is Thorichthys meeki, the firemouth cichlid. Members of Thorichthys rarely exceed , making them popular...
- TomocichlaTomocichlaTomocichla is a genus of freshwater fishes in the cichlid family that is restricted to Central America. The genus Tomocichla contains two species, both of which live is fastmoving waters. The species within Tomocichla were formerly placed within the genus Theraps.* Tomocichla sieboldii Siebold's...
- UaruUaruUaru is a small genus of cichlid fishes with only two species. The name Uaru comes from the Amazon word for toad. The genus occurs in blackwater and whitewater habitats in the upper Orinoco and Rio Negro rivers of the Amazon basin. U. amphiacanthoides is frequently available as a food fish in...
- ViejaViejaVieja is a genus of fish from the family Cichlidae. The geographic distribution of the genus is limited to Central America, primarily Mexico, Guatemala and Nicaragua. In general Vieja are high bodied cichlids which grow to between 15-35 cm . There are 16 species of Vieja currently described...