Cichla sp. temensis var. monster!

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That is insane that red is sooooo solid. You know john you got some smaller ones you want to fish out of that big old tank of yours I'm looking for Pbass ;)
 
How much you think that bad boy weighs? Can I go fishing in your tank? lol. How big is the African Arrowana? Nice Nice Nice
 
Those are fat tems. Nice work.
 
Cichla sp. Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! damn those guys are huge. maybe this'll help:


[SIZE=+2]Cichla temensis Humbolt & Valenciennes, 1821
[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]Common Name[/SIZE]

pavón cinchado (Venezuela, Colombia), pavón paca (Venezuela), tucunaré açu (Brazil), tucunaré paca (Brazil)

[SIZE=+1]Color Variation[/SIZE]

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Mature Cichla temensis from the Unini (Negro). Photo: P. Reiss

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Mature Cichla temensis from the Atabapo (Orinoco).

temensis4.jpg

Mature and immature Cichla temensis from the Pasiba (Casiquiare).

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Immature Cichla temensis from the Cinaruco (Orinoco), with stomach contents.

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Immature Cichla temensis from the Parguaza (Orinoco).

[SIZE=+1]Identification[/SIZE]

I will forego listing diagnostic characters for Cichla temensis in anticipation of a full taxonomic review by Sven Kullander. Cichla temensis can be distinguished from other species of peacock bass in its range several attributes, the most prominent of which is the black patch behind the eye. In related species (e.g. C. sp. "Amazonas"), this patch is broken into several dots, but in temensis it is almost always continuous. In immature fish, a series of white or yellowish broken lines or spots are evident along the flank, usually against a gray or light brown background. In the mature form, usually only in large fish, three unbroken black stripes are apparent on the flank, against a yellow, brown, or green background color.

[SIZE=+1]Ecology[/SIZE]

Jepsen et al. (1997) reported that C. temensis prefer deeper shoreline habitats in both lagoons and the main channel of the Cinaruco, and to prey upon fishes of a larger average body size. I have observed that C. temensis are most common in moderate to distinct blackwater rivers, and although they are apparent in clearwater rivers, they are generally much less abundant than C. intermedia. The two forms of C. temensis, the spotted and barred forms, referred to as the paca and açu forms respectively in Brazil, have often been considered different species. However, recent molecular, morphometric, and histological data have confirmed that the barred form is a coloration taken by mature fish in a state near spawning.

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Habitat of C. temensis on the Pasiba river.

[SIZE=+1]Distribution[/SIZE]

Cichla temensis is found in both the Orinoco and Amazonas basins. In the Amazonas, it is widespread in the Negro and Branco basins, and allegedly is found patchily in blackwater habitats of the Solimoes (Amazonas upstream of the Negro confluence) until at least Tefé. It is also found in the lower Madeira, in the Preto and Igapo-Açu rivers.

Last Changed July 2006. Return home.
 
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