Cichlids

Cichlids are

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THE Cichlids are a large family of freshwater fishes of moderate or small size in southern Mexico, Central and South America, resembling in form, size, appearance, habits, and even in many details of structure, the sunfishes or Centrarchidae of the United States, from which they are readily distinguished, however, by having the lower pharyngeals fully united, and only a single nostril on each side. The family contains some 40 genera and 150 species. North of the Isthmus of Panama are found 7 genera, represented by about 60 species. The principal genera are Cichlasoma, Heros and Petenia. The species have not been carefully studied, and little is known of their habits or distribution.

Petenia has with us a single species, P. splendida, known only from Lake Peten and the Rio Usumacinta. It is a handsome fish 10 inches long, and much resembling our calico bass in general appearance.

The genus Cichlasoma is a large one with 25 or 30 species, north of the Isthmus of Panama, in all the lakes and larger streams of Central America and southern Mexico. The majority of the species are little known and poorly defined.

The genus Heros also contains many species, about 25 being within our limits, occupying the same waters as the species of Cichlasoma. Only one, H. cyanoguttatus, is found as far north as the Rio Grande, this species having been taken at Brownsville, Texas.

All the members of this family are food-fishes of some value, and some of them at least will take the hook.