Common name: Giant Cichlid

Synonyms and Other Names: bay snook, tenguayaca, pez blanco

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: In general, members of the Cichlidae family (cichlids) are superficially similar to sunfishes and black basses (Centrarchidae: Lepomis and Micropterus). Cichlids can be distinguished from centrarchids by a single nostril opening on each side of the head and the presence of a discontinuous or two-part lateral line, in comparison to two nostril openings and a continuous lateral line in centrarchids.

Their coloration is silvery, often with scattered small black spots, and a series of black blotches along the midline of the body and distinct blotches at posterior ends of the opercula and base of the caudal fin. They possess a large and highly protrusible mouth. Some individuals, rare in the wild but popular in the aquarium trade, have a red to orange coloration and are given the common name red bay snook (Greenfield and Thomerson 1997).

Size: Up to 35 cm SL (Miller et al. 2005)

Native Range: Atlantic slope of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. Río Grijalva, Río Usumacinta, and Belize River basins, including Lago Petén (Miller et al. 2005)

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Ecology: In its native range, Petenia splendida is a piscivorous cichlid that inhabits freshwater streams and inland lagoons in Mesoamerica. P. splendida has a projectile jaw and a large gape (Cochran-Biederman and Winemiller 2010). Sexual maturity is reached at around 16.5 cm total length and reproduction occurs throughout the year, peaking in June and July in their native range (Miller et al. 2005, Arredondo-Figueroa et al. 2012). Females produce a mean of 2,400 eggs and offspring are protected by both parents (Arredondo-Figueroa et al. 2012, Resendez & Salvadires 1983).

Means of Introduction: Likely an aquarium release.

Status: Eradicated.  A multi-agency team removed hundreds of this species from Pinecrest Gardens in Miami, Florida in November 2017 (Schofield et al. 2019). The site was resampled in December 2022 and no P. splendida were found (Brown 2022).

Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.

Remarks: Voucher specimens: Florida (UF 236748). P. splendida is popular in the artisanal freshwater fishing industry in Guatemala and Mexico and the species is considered overexploited in its native range (Quintana et al. 2021).

References: (click for full references)

Arredondo-Figueroa, J.L., J.J. Matsumoto-Soule, J.T. Ponce-Palafox, K. Shirai-Matsumoto, and J.L. Gomez-Marquez. 2012. Effects of protein and lipids on growth performance, feed efficiency and survival rate in fingerlings of Bay Snook (Petenia splendida). International Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances 4:204–213.

Brown, M.E. 2022. Fish Chat and Slam December 2022. Fish Chat and Slam December 2022 | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov) (Accessed: 8/16/2023)

Cochran-Biederman J.L., and K.O. Winemiller. 2010. Relationships among habitat, ecomorphology and diets of cichlids in the Bladen River, Belize. Environmental Biology of Fishes 88: 143–152, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-010-9624-y

Greenfield, D.M., and J.E. Thomerson. 1997. Fishes of the Continental Waters of Belize. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL.

Miller, R.R., W.L. Minckley, and S.M. Norris. 2005. Freshwater Fishes of Mexico. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL.

Quintana, Y., C.A. Barrientos, and M. Allen. 2021. Evaluation of an Artisanal Freshwater Fishery in Guatemala Finds Underfished Conditions. North Am J Fish Manage, 41: 1731-1743. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10690

Reséndez A., and M. Salvadores. 1983. Contribution to the knowledge of the biology of the lizard Lepisosteus tropicus (Gill) and the tenguayaca Petenia splendida (Günther), from the state of Tabasco. Biótica 8:413–426.

Schofield, P.J., H. Jelks, and K.B. Gestring. 2019. Eradication of two non-native cichlid fishes in Miami, Florida (USA). Management of Biological Invasions 10(2): 296-310.

Other Resources:

Author: Reaver, K.M., Neilson, M.E.

Peer Review Date: 10/4/2023

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.