PHYLUM    Chordata

CLASS        Actinopterygii   (ray-finned fishes)

ORDER    Perciformes   (Perch-likes)

FAMILY   Cichlidae (Cichlids)

GENUS/SPECIES    Parachromis (Nandopsis) managuensis

 

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

Body has a light background with black markings all over; series of large black spots on along the sides.   Males will constantly dig and defend their territory. They will usually have brighter coloring to the body than females.    Size:  32.5–35 cm (13–14 in).

 

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT

Central America: Honduras to Costa Rica preferring lakes, with  turbid warm water depleted of oxygen. Likes mud bottoms but also found in springs and ponds over detritus and sand bottoms.    

 

DIET IN THE WILD

Small fishes and invertebrates; a voracious predator that makes a meal of any fish small enough to fit into its unusually large mouth.           

 

Swamp SW02

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