Crenicichla | |
---|---|
Crenicichla punctata | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Cichliformes |
Family: | Cichlidae |
Subfamily: | Cichlinae |
Tribe: | Geophagini |
Subtribe: | Crenicaratina |
Genus: | Crenicichla Heckel, 1840 |
Type species | |
Crenicichla macrophthalma Heckel, 1840 | |
Synonyms | |
BatrachopsHeckel, 1840 |
Crenicichla is a genus of cichlids native to South America commonly known as the pike cichlids. They are found in most tropical and subtropical freshwater habitats between the Andes and the Atlantic. [1]
The smallest species of Crenicichla (notably members of the C. wallacii species group) are no larger than 6–14 cm (2.4–5.5 in), [2] and are referred to as "dwarf cichlids" for the aquarium hobby – though their aggressive and territorial habits make them unsuitable for novice keepers. The biggest pike cichlids can grow to about 50 cm (20 in) long. [2] Most Crenicichla measure in the range of 15–30 cm (6–12 in). [3] Like many other predatory fishes, a pike cichlid has a wide mouth and elongated body.
The genus Crenicichla is native to freshwater in tropical and subtropical South America east of the Andes, ranging from Trinidad and the Guiana Shield (including Orinoco), through the Amazon and Río de la Plata Basins, south as far as Río Negro in Argentina. [4] Although widespread as a group, the individual species are often restricted to a single river or river basin. [4] [5] They are found in a wide range of habitats, including rivers, streams, pools and lakes; some species are rheophilic. [4] [5]
The vast majority of pike cichlids are predatory and feed on fish, insects, and other small animals. They usually place themselves where they can stay undetected by the prey, like close to a sunken tree stem or behind a rock. This behavior, as well as the correspondingly adapted shape, which resembles that the unrelated pikes (Esocidae) of the Holarctic, gives the pike cichlids their common name. An exception is C. tapii, which is similar in general appearance to other pike cichlids, but unusual for being gregarious and feeding on periphyton. [5]
There are currently around 93 recognized species in this genus: [3] [6] [7]
In addition to these, several undescribed species are known. [2]
The Iguazu River, also called Rio Iguassu, is a river in Brazil and Argentina. It is an important tributary of the Paraná River. The Iguazu River is 1,320 kilometres (820 mi) long, with a drainage basin of 62,000 square kilometres (24,000 sq mi).
Cichlasoma is a genus of freshwater fish in the cichlid family. The genus was previously very large, including cichlids from North America, including Central America, and South America.
Apistogramma is a large genus of freshwater fish in the family Cichlidae found in South America, but also commonly kept in aquariums. They are dwarf cichlids that mostly feed on tiny animals and have breeding behaviors that vary depending on the exact species.
Aequidens is a genus of fish in the family Cichlidae found in South America. Formerly a wastebasket genus, as presently defined Aequidens is largely restricted to the Amazon Basin, Orinoco Basin and river basins in The Guianas. The only exceptions are A. plagiozonatus which also occurs in the Paraná Basin, and A. tetramerus which also occurs in the Parnaíba River.
Geophagus is a genus of cichlids that mainly live in South America as far south as Argentina and Uruguay, but a single species, G. crassilabris is from Panama. They are found in a wide range of freshwater habitats. They are part of a group popularly known as eartheaters and mostly feed by picking up mouthfuls of sediment to sift out food items such as invertebrates, plant material and detritus. The largest species reach up to 28 cm (11 in) in standard length. They are mostly kept in aquariums.
Australoheros is a fish genus in the cichlid family. Most are restricted to rivers and streams in southeastern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and northeastern Argentina, but at least one species is also found in lakes and swamps. This genus was erected after a taxonomic revision in 2006. These are relatively small cichlids that typically do not surpass 10–15 centimetres (4–6 in) in length, although A. facetus reaches about 20 cm (8 in).
Teleocichla is a genus of fish in the family Cichlidae found in the Tapajós, Xingu, Tocantins and Jari River basins, which are part of the Amazon River Basin in Brazil. All species are rheophilic, and highly elongated in shape. They generally are smaller than 9 cm (3.5 in) in length, making them some of the smallest cichlids of the Americas. Only T. preta can grow larger, reaching about 12 cm (4.7 in). Since restricted to areas with fast currents, they are particularly vulnerable to the building of dams, and the Belo Monte Dam may cause the extinction of T. centisquama. Other species recognized as threatened by Brazil's Ministry of the Environment are T. cinderella, T. prionogenys and T. wajapi.
Mesonauta, the flag cichlids, is a small genus of cichlids native to the Amazon, Orinoco, Essequibo, Paraná and Paraguay basins in South America. Mesonauta is included in the subfamily Cichlasomatinae. They occur in various freshwater habitats such as streams and lakes, especially in areas with little water movement and aquatic vegetation. They are generally found in small groups that stay near the water surface. To avoid predators, adults may jump out of the water and juveniles mimic leaves.
The Cichlasomatinae are a subfamily of cichlid fishes, including all cichlids native to the Greater Antilles, United States, Mexico and Central America, and many of the cichlids from South America. The subfamily Cichlasomatinae is often divided into two tribes: Cichlasomatini and Heroini, however some authorities classify these two tribes as part of the wider Neotropical and marginally Nearctic subfamily Cichlinae.
Sven Oscar Kullander is a Swedish biologist specialised in ichthyology. He primarily researches cichlids – notably the genus Apistogramma and the Cichlasoma-complex – and other tropical fresh water fishes. He also has been working with endangered fish species in Sweden.
Heroini is a fish tribe from the Cichlasomatinae subfamily in the cichlid family. All cichlids native to the Greater Antilles, United States, Mexico and northern Central America are members of this tribe. It also includes most cichlid species in southern Central America and several species from South America. A large percentage of its species were formerly placed in the genus Cichlasoma but have since been moved to other genera.
Crenicichla chicha is a species of cichlid native to South America. It is found in the Rio Papagaio, upper rio Tapajós basin, Mato Grosso, Brazil. This species reaches a length of 13.8 cm (5.4 in).
Crenicichla gillmorlisi is a species of cichlid native to South America. It is found in the Río Acaray drainage in Paraguay. This species reaches a length of 17.4 cm (6.9 in).
Crenicichla monicae is a species of cichlid native to South America. It is found in the lower Rio Uaupés and lower Rio Içana, tributaries of the upper Rio Negro in Brazil. This species reaches a length of 27.3 cm (10.7 in).
Crenicichla tuca is a species of cichlid native to South America. It is found in the Lower Iguazú River basin above the Iguazú Falls in Argentina. Distributional range extends upstream of the Misiones Province of Argentina into the neighboring state of Paraná, Brazil. This species reaches a length of 15 cm (5.9 in).
Crenicichla hu is a species of cichlid native to South America. It is found in Argentina. This species reaches a length of 15.3 cm (6.0 in).
Crenicichla tapii is a species of cichlid native to South America. It is found in the lower Iguazú River basin above the Iguazú Falls in Argentina. Distributional range extends upstream of the Misiones Province, Argentina into the neighboring state of Paraná, Brazil. This species reaches a length of 12 cm (4.7 in).
Crenicichla taikyra is a species of cichlid native to South America. It is found in the middle río Paraná in Argentina. This species reaches a length of 11.6 cm (4.6 in).
Crenicichla ypo is a species of cichlid native to South America. It is found in the Arroyo Uruguaí basin, middle Paraná River basin in Misiones, Argentina. This species reaches a length of 13.7 cm (5.4 in).
Crenicichla ploegi is a species of cichlid native to South America. It is found swimming in Brazil. This species reaches a length of 28 cm (11 in).