Andinoacara Blombergi

📖 Overview

Andinoacara Blombergi (Andinoacara blombergi) is a ray-finned fish of the family Cichlidae. It inhabits freshwater waters. This species can reach a maximum total length of 10.7 cm. With a trophic level of 3.2, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 14 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9; Vertebrae: 26 - 28. This species is similar to Andinoacara rivulatus and A. stalsberg i in having 8-12 (usually 9-10) relatively small predorsal scales in a median row, and different from other species of Andinocara which have a median predorsal row of eight large scales. This can be diagnosed from the most similar species, A. rivulatus , by E1 scale count 25, exceptionally 24 or 26 (vs. 24, exceptionally 23), narrower head (15.2- 17.8 vs. 17.7-22.0 % SL) and narrower interorbital space (8.9-10.9 vs. 9.9-15.5 % SL). Differs from A. stalsbergi in color pattern: in large males of A. blombergi scales on side light, with dark spot at centre, vs. scales with light centre and dark margin in A. stalsbergi . Lower part of head and chest may be spotted with blue but is otherwise pale except for preopercular blotch in females vs. lower part of head and chest blackish in preserved specimens of A. stalsbergi .

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Andinoacara Blombergi is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical South America: Río Esmeraldas drainage, but possibly also in the adjacent río Santiago in northern Ecuador.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🦠 Common Diseases

The following diseases are known to affect Andinoacara Blombergi.

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

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