Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Cichlasomatinae
Etymology: Parachromis: Greek, para = the side of + Greek, chromis = a fish, perhaps a perch (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Captain John Melmoth Dow (1827–1892) was an American naturalist and explorer, in addition to being a ship’s master and shipping agent. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on author: Günther.
Issue
Reviewed by Bussing (1998: 360), with key, diagnosis, geographical distribution, and figures.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 7.0 - ? ; dH range: ? - 20; potamodromous (Ref. 51243). Tropical; 21°C - 37°C (Ref. 36880)
Central America: Atlantic slope, from the Aguan River (Honduras) to the Moín River (Costa Rica); Pacific slope from the Yeguare River (Honduras) to the Bebedero River (Costa Rica).
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 20.0 range ? - ? cm
Max length : 72.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 40637); max. published weight: 6.8 kg (Ref. 40637)
Inhabits lakes but also thrives in various lower and middle river valleys. This species is an avid cavern digger. Piscivorous, though also eats crustaceans and insects in smaller numbers (Ref. 36880). Made into fillets or eaten baked.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Produces about 1000-1500 eggs. Altruism with males of other species while tending the young. This updates previous informations from Ref. 7335.
Min. 1000 eggs, sexual maturity is reached at 15 months and 20 cm (Ref. 2060).
Kullander, S.O., 2003. Cichlidae (Cichlids). p. 605-654. In R.E. Reis, S.O. Kullander and C.J. Ferraris, Jr. (eds.) Checklist of the Freshwater Fishes of South and Central America. Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS, Brasil. (Ref. 36377)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Tools
Special reports
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5312 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.02455 (0.01378 - 0.04374), b=3.09 (2.94 - 3.24), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this species & (Sub)family-body (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.8 ±0.6 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=1.25; Fec = 1,000-1,500).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Moderate to high vulnerability (49 of 100).
