Vieja

Last updated

Vieja
Vieja maculicauda.jpg
Vieja maculicauda
Vieja melanura - Karlsruhe Zoo 01.jpg
Vieja melanurus
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cichliformes
Family: Cichlidae
Tribe: Heroini
Genus: Vieja
Fernández-Yépez, 1969
Synonyms
  • ParatherapsWerner & Stawikowski, 1987

Vieja is a genus of cichlid fish from Central America and Mexico. The majority of the species are freshwater fish found in stagnant or slow-moving waters of southern Mexico to El Salvador, but V. maculicauda, which also occurs in brackish waters, ranges south to Panama. [1] They are high-bodied cichlids that reach lengths of up to 17–35 cm (7–14 in) depending on the exact species. [2] Vieja feed mostly on vegetable matter, but may also take small invertebrates. [2]

Taxonomy and species

Historically, Vieja was included in Cichlasoma . Once recognized as its own genus, it sometimes included most of the superficially similar, relatively large and high-bodied cichlids of Central America and southern Mexico, but several of these are now considered to belong to separate genera: Chuco , Cincelichthys , Isthmoheros , Kihnichthys , Maskaheros and Oscura (Oscuro might still be better merged with Vieja, but this remains unconfirmed). Conversely, Vieja has sometimes been included in Paraneetroplus . [1] [3]

There are currently 8 recognized species in the genus Vieja: [2]

In addition to these, two further species have commonly been recognized: The first is V. coatlicue, but today it is usually considered the Atlantic slope population of V. zonata. [4] The second is V. synspilum, in which case V. melanurus is limited to the Lake Petén system, but a review found that the supposed differences between them are invalid. [5]

Because of individual, regional and age-related variations, definite separation of some species can be difficult. [6] Furthermore, hybrids occur, sometimes even between a Vieja species and a species from another heroine genus. [7] The enigmatic Amphilophus margaritifer, sometimes still recognized as a valid species, is most likely a hybrid involving Thorichthys and Vieja. [3] [8]

Related Research Articles

<i>Cichlasoma</i> Genus of fishes

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.

Paraneetroplus is a genus of cichlid fish native to moderately to fast-flowing waters in the Coatzacoalcos, Grijalva and Papaloapan river basins in southern Mexico. They reach up to 20–25.5 cm (8–10 in) in length.

Theraps is a genus of cichlid fish that includes only a single species, the Arroya ciclid from fast-flowing rivers and streams in the Usumacinta and Polochic basins of southern Mexico and Guatemala. It is a medium-sized cichlid, up to 19 cm (7.5 in) in standard length.

<i>Thorichthys</i> Genus of fishes

Thorichthys is a genus of cichlid fish that is native to the Atlantic slope of Middle America, ranging from southern Veracruz and the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, to Guatemala and Honduras, with introduced populations in a few other countries. They tend to inhabit moderately-flowing to standing water such as rivers, streams, lakes, ditches and lagoons, and they are primarily freshwater fish, although T. helleri and T. meeki may occur in slightly brackish habitats.

<i>Archocentrus</i> Genus of fishes

Archocentrus is a genus of cichlid fish from Central America. It currently contains a single species, the flier cichlid, which is found in stagnant and slow-moving freshwater habitats such as lakes, ponds, ditches, swamps and rivers in Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. It is up to 11 cm (4.3 in) long and feeds on invertebrates and detritus.

<i>Vieja melanurus</i> Species of fish

Vieja melanurus, the quetzal cichlid, redhead cichlid or firehead cichlid, is a species of cichlid that is native to the Lake Petén system, the Grijalva–Usumacinta River basin and other Atlantic river drainages in southern Mexico, Belize and Guatemala, with introduced populations in a few other countries. It typically inhabits slow-moving or standing waters such as rivers, lakes and lagoons; although primarily a freshwater fish, it may occur in slightly brackish habitats. It is popular in the aquarium trade, where often listed under the synonym V. synspila/synspilum. It is almost entirely herbivorous, but may also take small animal prey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salvin's cichlid</span> Species of fish

The Salvin's cichlid, also known as the yellow-belly cichlid or tricolored cichlid, is a species of the family Cichlidae. It is found in rivers of the Atlantic slope of southern Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala.

Tomocichla is a genus of cichlid fish native to moderately and fast-flowing rivers along the Atlantic slope of Central America, ranging from the Escondido drainage in Nicaragua to Bocas del Toro in Panama. Tomocichla was formerly included in Theraps and until 2015 Talamancaheros sieboldii was commonly included in Tomocichla. They are fairly large cichlids, up to 25–30 cm (10–12 in) in length.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heroini</span> Tribe of cichlid fishes

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.

<i>Vieja maculicauda</i> Species of fish

Vieja maculicauda also known as the blackbelt cichlid, is a cichlid fish species native to Central America from Southern Mexico to Panama.

The Cichlid Room Companion (CRC) is a membership-based webpage dedicated to the fishes of the Cichlid family (Cichlidae). The site was launched in May 1996 and offers arguably the most comprehensive authoritative catalogue of cichlids on the web, which is illustrated with more than 25,000 photographs of fishes and 2,000 of habitats, as well as over 300 videos of cichlids and their habitats. It also “offers access to ample information about 253 genera and 2371 species”, a discussion forum as well as many articles about taxonomy, natural history, fish-keeping, field accounts, conservation, and other cichlid related topics; mostly written by citizen scientists and people who specialize in cichlids. The species summaries provided in the form of profiles include taxonomic, distribution and habitat, distribution maps, conservation, natural history, captive maintenance, images, videos, collection records, and an extensive bibliography of the species included and have been prepared by world-class specialists. A document establishes the standards followed in the preparation and maintenance of the cichlid catalogue. The site is administered by its creator and editor, Juan Miguel Artigas-Azas, a naturalist, who is also an aquarist and a nature photographer. In 2008, the American Cichlid Association (ACA) awarded Artigas-Azas the Guy Jordan Retrospective Award, which is the maximum honor that association gives to people who have done extensive contribution to the international cichlid hobby.

<i>Maskaheros</i> Genus of fishes

Maskaheros is a genus of cichlids fish found on Atlantic slope of southern Mexico and Guatemala in the Coatzacoalcos and Usumacinta River drainages. They are relatively large, high-bodied cichlids and were formerly included in the genus Paraneetroplus or Vieja.

Kihnichthys ufermanni, the Usumacinta cichlid, is a species of cichlid found in a few rivers in the Usumacinta River basin in Guatemala and southern Mexico. It typically occurs in rivers that are about 10–50 m (33–164 ft) wide, fairly deep, have few or no aquaritc plants, and a variable water current. This species is the only known member of its genus, but several of its features, including the chisel-like teeth, are shared with Cincelichthys and whether they should be merged into a single genus is not yet fully resolved; a review in 2020 recommended that the Usumacinta cichlid should be moved into Cincelichthys. The Usumacinta cichlid reaches a standard length of 25 cm (10 in).

<i>Cincelichthys</i> Genus of fishes

Cincelichthys is a genus of high-bodied cichlids found in southern Mexico to Guatemala, where they inhabit lakes, rivers and other freshwater habitats. They are large cichlids, up to 35–42.5 cm (14–17 in) long depending on species, with females reaching smaller sizes than males.

Rheoheros is a genus of cichlids. These freshwater fish are found in the Atlantic slope of Mexico and Guatemala in moderately to fast-flowing waters of the Grijalva-Usumacinta River system. Depending on species, they reach up to 12–25 cm (4.5–10 in) in length.

The Montecristo cichlid is a species of freshwater fish from the Atlantic slope of southern Mexico and Guatemala. This cichlid occurs in lagoons, creeks and rivers with slight to moderate current in the Grijalva–Usumacinta, Candelaria, Champotón and Coatzacoalcos river drainages. It is currently recognized as the only species in its genus, but it is closely related to –and possibly should be merged into– Vieja. The Montecristo cichlid reaches up to 24 cm (9.4 in) in standard length.

Chiapaheros grammodes is a species of cichlid fish found in the upper part of the Grijalva River basin in southern Mexico and far western Guatemala. Adults generally inhabit areas with moderate to strong current, but they can also be found in backwaters and juveniles generally occur in calm waters. This species is the only known member of its genus, but historically it has been placed in several other genera. It reaches up to about 20 cm (8 in) in standard length. C. grammodes is relatively aggressive and quite predatory, tending towards piscivory. Both natural and aquarium hybrids have occurred between this species and Vieja hartwegi.

<i>Mesoheros</i> Genus of fishes

Mesoheros is a genus of cichlids. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru; Atrato River flowing into the Atlantic, San Juan, Baudó and Patia Rivers to Esmeraldas and Tumbes Rivers flowing into the Pacific.

<i>Talamancaheros</i> Genus of fishes

Talamancaheros is a genus of cichlid fish found in fast- and moderately-flowing rivers on the Pacific slope of the Talamanca mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama. Talamancaheros reaches up to 25 cm (10 in) in standard length.

<i>Chuco</i> (fish) Genus of fishes

Chuco is a genus of medium-sized cichlid fishes from moderately to fast-flowing rivers and streams on the Atlantic slope of southern Mexico and northern Central America.

References

  1. 1 2 McMahan, C.D.; Matamoros, W.A.; Piller, K.R.; Chakrabarty, P. (2015). "Taxonomy and systematics of the herichthyins (Cichlidae: Tribe Heroini), with the description of eight new Middle American Genera" (PDF). Zootaxa. 3999 (2): 211–234. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3999.2.3. PMID   26623572.
  2. 1 2 3 Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2020). Species of Vieja in FishBase . July 2020 version.
  3. 1 2 Říčan, O.; Piálek, L.; Dragová, K. & Novák, J. (2016). "Diversity and evolution of the Middle American cichlid fishes (Teleostei: Cichlidae) with revised classification". Vertebrate Zoology. 66 (1): 1–102. doi: 10.3897/vz.66.e31534 .
  4. McMahan, C.D.; Matamoros, W.A.; Elías, D.J.; Piller, K.R. (2019). "Species or population? Systematic status of Vieja coatlicue (Teleostei: Cichlidae)". Neotropical Ichthyology. 17 (2): e190004. doi: 10.1590/1982-0224-20190004 .
  5. McMahan, C.D.; Murray, C.M.; Geheber, A.D.; Boeckman, C.D.; Piller, K.R. (2011). "Paraneetroplus synspilus is a Junior Synonym of Paraneetroplus melanurus (Teleostei: Cichlidae)". Zootaxa. 2833: 1–14. doi:10.11646/ZOOTAXA.2833.1.1.
  6. Gómez-González, A.E.; Álvarez, F.; Matamoros, W.A.; Velázquez-Velázquez, E.; Schmitter-Soto, J.J.; González-Díaz, A.A.; McMahan, C.D. (2018). "Redescription of Vieja hartwegi (Taylor & Miller 1980) (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from the Grijalva River basin, Mexico and Guatemala, with description of a rheophilic morph". Zootaxa. 4375 (3): 371–391. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4375.3.5. PMID   29690077.
  7. Říčan, Oldřich; Morgenstern, Rico (2018). "Hybrids, not a new rheophilic morph of Vieja hartwegi" (PDF). doi:10.13140/RG.2.2.14727.09123 . Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  8. Morgenstern, R. (2015). "Anmerkungen zur Herkunft und Identität von Heros margaritifer Günther, 1862". DCG-Informationen. 46 (1): 2–9.