Herichthys molango De la Maza-Benignos & Lozano-Vilano, 2013
Herichthys molango
photo by De la Maza-Benignos, M.

Family:  Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Cichlinae
Max. size:  10.89 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 7 - 8
Distribution:  Central America: Laguna Azteca in the headwaters of the Rio Panuco of the Rio Moctezuma Basin, Mexico.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 16-18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 5-7; Anal soft rays: 8-10. Differs from other species by possessing a slender (slightly broader than long), well-spaced, and indented lower pharyngeal plate; 2 rows of 8-9 medium-sized, lightly pigmented molars flank the midline; and 11-13 non-enlarged conic teeth along the posterior margin. Distinguished from all congeners by a combination of the following characters: head short (mean 35%, SD 3%); rostral tip to the pectoral fin origin distance (mean 33%, SD 1%); caudal peduncle short (mean 15%, SD 1%) and deep (mean 16%, SD 1%); long anal fin (origin to hypural base distance; mean 40%, SD 1%); wide preorbit (mean 30%, SD 3%); eye small (mean 21%, SD 2%); predorsal contour deep and nonacute, which is not concave before the eye; and peritoneum is uniformly very dark (Ref. 94458).
Biology:  Inhabits Laguna Azteca, characterized by a depth of 16 m, transparency of 1-3 m, surface temperatures of 16-27°C, and surface pH of 7-8. Does not occur sympatrically with other native cichlids. Feeds mainly on filamentous algae. Threatened by the introduction of tilapia and centrachids (Micropterus salmoides and Lepomis spp.) (Ref. 94458).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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