While collecting rivers in Panama over the past 6 months, in areas near the Panamanian highway, about half way between the sea, and the mountain range (the spine of Panama) have been the norm, and species have been similar in each area, so we decided to try an area of lower elevation closer to the Pacific this time.
The area known as the Rio Chepo, which is a sort of tributary of the Rio Mamoni (where I had collected a few weeks back) was the chosen site for the day, and in this spot we were finally able to collect one of my target species (Darienheros calobrensis), also caught, a different species of Gobies (a trio of Awaous), and what appears to be (at least on the surface) a different species of Pleco. At higher elevations, the dominant cichlids were Andinoacara coerleopunctatus, and for the guavinas (gobys) were Gobomorus.
Because it is now the rainy season, all the rivers are very turbid, and faster flowing than the rivers collected in the past few months.
But even though the water is cafe latte brown, parameters have changed very little. Nitrates still undetectable, and pH still up there, in the 7s, or up into the low 8s.
Tetras were still the dominant species, and each cast pulled out at least one, often 2 or 3, but all were released.
This trip brought up 5 Darienheros cichlids ranging from about 2” to one almost 6”,
2 species of Gobys were also found, the same Gobiomorus species caught on previous trips.
And an Awaous species (probably) A. banana
There were also a couple Plecos that seem slightly different than the previously collected Ancistrus. It may be that they are simply matching the turbid conditions, so I acquiesce to the more “in the know” Pleco experts that may see this.
All pics immediately above were taken in a specimen container, where I try to check for parasites, and take a closeup that kelps with species ID, once in a tank most newly captured fish disappear into the foliage for a few days, at least until they are a little more comfortable.
By noon the next day, hunger brought them out of hiding, and I was able to get some shots of the Darienheros when first put in the tank.
And the species of Awaous goby.
and the pleco.
The area known as the Rio Chepo, which is a sort of tributary of the Rio Mamoni (where I had collected a few weeks back) was the chosen site for the day, and in this spot we were finally able to collect one of my target species (Darienheros calobrensis), also caught, a different species of Gobies (a trio of Awaous), and what appears to be (at least on the surface) a different species of Pleco. At higher elevations, the dominant cichlids were Andinoacara coerleopunctatus, and for the guavinas (gobys) were Gobomorus.
Because it is now the rainy season, all the rivers are very turbid, and faster flowing than the rivers collected in the past few months.
But even though the water is cafe latte brown, parameters have changed very little. Nitrates still undetectable, and pH still up there, in the 7s, or up into the low 8s.
Tetras were still the dominant species, and each cast pulled out at least one, often 2 or 3, but all were released.
This trip brought up 5 Darienheros cichlids ranging from about 2” to one almost 6”,
2 species of Gobys were also found, the same Gobiomorus species caught on previous trips.
And an Awaous species (probably) A. banana
There were also a couple Plecos that seem slightly different than the previously collected Ancistrus. It may be that they are simply matching the turbid conditions, so I acquiesce to the more “in the know” Pleco experts that may see this.
All pics immediately above were taken in a specimen container, where I try to check for parasites, and take a closeup that kelps with species ID, once in a tank most newly captured fish disappear into the foliage for a few days, at least until they are a little more comfortable.
By noon the next day, hunger brought them out of hiding, and I was able to get some shots of the Darienheros when first put in the tank.
And the species of Awaous goby.
and the pleco.
