Common name: Blackbelt Cichlid

Synonyms and Other Names: Cichlasoma maculicauda Regan 1905, Paraneetroplus maculicauda (Regan 1905), Cichlasoma nigritum Meek 1907, Cichlasoma globosum Miller 1907, Cichlasoma manana Miller 1907, Vieja panamensis Fernández-Yépez 1969; Spotted Cichlid, vieja

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Cichlids (family Cichlidae) are superficially similar to North American sunfishes and black basses (Lepomis and Micropterus; family Centrarchidae). Cichlids are distinguished from centrarchids by a single nostril opening on each side of the head (vs. two in centrarchids) and the presence of a discontinuous or two-part lateral line (vs. continuous in centrarchids).

Blackbelt Cichlid (Vieja maculicauda) is a member of the Neotropical cichlid subfamily Cichlinae. The composition and distinguishing features of Cichlinae and its included tribes and subtribes is described by Smith et al (2008). Vieja can be distinguished from other Central/Middle America herichthyin cichlids by having conical or bicuspid teeth, and the presence of a large dark, round blotch filling the caudal peduncle with the lower lateral line running through it. Vieja maculicauda can be distinguished from other species of Vieja by the dark blotch not extending anteriorly from the caudal peduncle onto the body (McMahan et al. 2015)

Size: to 25 cm standard length (Kullander 2003)

Native Range: Central America, lowland rivers from Río Usumacinta, Guatemala to Río Chagres, Panama (Bussing, 1998)

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

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

Ecology: In Central America, the Blackbelt Cichlid inhabits low gradient, freshwater to brackish rivers, streams, canals, and coastal lagoons in lowlying areas (Bussing 1998). In its native range, Blackbelt Cichlid is an omnivore with a diet consisting primarily of algae, macrophytes, plant detritus, and small molluscs (Winemiller et al. 1995; Cochran-Biederman and Winemiller 2010).

Means of Introduction: Likely aquarium release

Status: Unknown, but likely failed due to a single reported individual.

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.

References: (click for full references)

Bussing, W.A. 1998. Peces de las aguas continentales de Costa Rica. 2nd edition. Editorial de la Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.

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://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10641-010-9624-y

Kullander, S.O. 2003. Family Cichlidae (Cichlids). Pages 605-654 in Reis, R.E., S.O. Kullander, and C.J. Ferraris, Jr, eds. Check list of the freshwater fishes of South and Central America. EDIPUCRS. Porto Alegre, Brazil.

McMahan, C.D., W.A. Matamoros, K.R. Piller, and P. Chakrabarty. 2015. Taxonomy and systematics of the herichthyins (Cichlidae: Tribe Heroini), with the description of eight new Middle American genera. Zootaxa 3999(2):211-234. http://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3999.2.3

Smith. W.L., P. Chakrabarty, and J.S. Sparks. 2008. Phylogeny, taxonomy, and evolution of Neotropical cichlids (Teleostei: Cichlidae: Cichlinae). Cladistics 24(5):625-641. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1096-0031.2008.00210.x.

Winemiller, K.O., L.C. Kelso-Winemiller, and A.L. Brenkert. 1995. Ecomorphological diversification and convergence in fluvial cichlid fishes. Environmental Biology of Fishes 44:235-261.

Other Resources:

Author: Neilson, M.E.

Peer Review Date: 9/29/2020

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.