Acaronia vultuosa, the spangled cichlid, is a species of cichlid found throughout the Orinoco Basin, including the Casiquiare, Inírida River, and the Vichada River, as well as the Rio Negro. This species can reach a length of 12 centimetres (4.7 in) TL. It inhabits the waters close to the bank that are rich in vegetation, and preys on smaller fish.
Physical description for aquarium is currently being
compiled.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for aquarium is currently being
reviewed.
🦐 Diet
small fish
crustaceans
cephalopods
🥚 Reproduction
🐣 Oviparous👄 Mouth Brooder🛡️ Egg Guarder
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical South America: Orinoco River basin in Colombia and Venezuela, including the Casiquiare, Inírida, Caura, Vichada rivers; upper Negro River in Brazil and Venezuela (San Carlos, Ererê River and Tamaquaré Island).
Norway
🌿 Ecology
Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Trophic Level
4.2±0.73
Food Items
small fish (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
Length–Weight Relationship:
W = 0.02138 × L3.05
(TL)
Max TL
12.2cm
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2020
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
18.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.2
Apex / Top predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Kullander, 1989
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"aquarium is an edible species."
✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
Cloudy or sunken eyes
Strong fishy or ammonia odour
Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
BakingGrillingPan-frying
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for aquarium is
currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for aquarium has not yet been
assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
✓ Sustainable Choice
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g
- Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg
📊 Population Dynamics
Year
Region
Index
Notes
-
-
-
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Language
Common Names
🇬🇧English
Oilbird · Oilbirds
🌍CES
gvačarovití
🇩🇪German
Fettschwalme
🇫🇮Finnish
rasvakehrääjät
🇫🇷French
Guacharos
🇮🇹Italian
Guaciaro
🇯🇵Japanese
アブラヨタカ科
🇰🇷Korean
기름쏙독새과
🌍LIT
Guachariniai
🇳🇱Dutch
Vetvogels
🌍NOB
fettfuglfamilien
🇵🇱Polish
tłuszczaki
🇷🇺Russian
Гуахаро
🌍SLK
guačarovité
🇪🇸Spanish
Guácharos
🌍TUR
Yağkuşugiller
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect aquarium.
Froese, R. and Pauly, D. (Editors)
(2024).
FishBase.
World Wide Web electronic publication.
FishBase Consortium.
Link
↗
Conservation
IUCN
(2024).
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Version 2024-1.
International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Link
↗
Taxonomy
GBIF Secretariat
(2024).
GBIF Backbone Taxonomy.
Checklist dataset.
Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
DOI ↗
Nutrition
USDA Agricultural Research Service
(2024).
FoodData Central.
USDA National Nutrient Database.
United States Department of Agriculture.
Link
↗
Fishery
NOAA Fisheries
(2024).
FishWatch: U.S. Seafood Facts.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Link
↗
Monterey Bay Aquarium
(2024).
Seafood Watch Recommendations.
Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation.
Link
↗
Aquaculture
FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department
(2024).
The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Link
↗
Distribution
Kaschner, K., Kesner-Reyes, K., Garilao, C., Segschneider, J., Rius-Barile, J., Rees, T., Froese, R.
(2024).
AquaMaps: Predicted range maps for aquatic species.
AquaMaps.
Link
↗
Ecology
Nelson, J.S., Grande, T.C., Wilson, M.V.H.
(2016).
Fishes of the World.
5th edition.
John Wiley & Sons.
Behavior
Helfman, G.S., Collette, B.B., Facey, D.E., Bowen, B.W.
(2009).
The Diversity of Fishes: Biology, Evolution, and Ecology.
2nd edition.
Wiley-Blackwell.
Morphology
Froese, R.
(2006).
Cube law, condition factor and weight-length relationships: history, meta-analysis and recommendations.
Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 22(4), 241-253.
DOI ↗
Toxicology
Halstead, B.W., Auerbach, P.S., Campbell, D.
(1988).
A Colour Atlas of Dangerous Marine Animals.
Wolfe Medical Publications.
Wolfe Medical.
Reproduction
Balon, E.K.
(1975).
Reproductive Guilds of Fishes: A Proposal and Definition.
Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada, 32(6), 821-864.