Morphology Data of Cichla nigromaculata
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Kullander, S.O. and E.J.G. Ferreira, 2006
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs
Different appearance
Different colors
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral fusiform / normal
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales
Diagnosis

Diagnosis: Distinguished from its congeners except C. intermedia, C. ocellaris, C. melaniae, and C. piquiti by the presence of bars 1a and 2a; similar to ocellaris in possessing a dark blotch dorsally in bar 3. Differs from piquiti in lower scale count (E1 row scales 75-84, vs. 83-104), and in having bars relatively narrow and short instead of uniformly wide across the side and reaching to the lower abdominal side. Differs from melaniae by the presence of prominent dark blotch dorsally in bar 3, and absence of numerous small light spots on side and from intermedia by lower scale count (E1 row scales 75-85 vs. 96-108), absence of horizontal lateral band, and vertical bars most prominent on dorsum rather than along midaxis. It is different from ocellaris in possession of small black spots on dorsal side, discontinuous lateral line (vs. usually continuous); more scales (E1 scales 75-84 vs. 67-82); narrower caudal peduncle (depth 10.3-11.4 %SL vs. 11.9-13.2 %SL in specimens over 100 mm SL); vertical bars 1-3 wide dorsally, tapering to a point below middle of side (vs. usually relatively narrow and about equally wide from dorsum to ventral end); absence of postorbital markings (vs. presence); and presence of distinct occipital bar (vs. absent or indistinct) (Ref. 57716).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Cichla nigromaculata

Lateral Lines Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total
Soft-rays total
Adipose fin

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number
Spines total
Soft-rays total

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     
Soft-rays   
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