Vieja | |
---|---|
Vieja maculicauda | |
Vieja melanurus | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Cichliformes |
Family: | Cichlidae |
Tribe: | Heroini |
Genus: |
Vieja Fernández-Yépez, 1969 |
Synonyms | |
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Vieja is a genus of cichlid fish from Central America and Mexico. The majority of the species are freshwater fish found in stagnant or slow-moving waters of southern Mexico to El Salvador, but V. maculicauda, which also occurs in brackish waters, ranges south to Panama. [1] They are high-bodied cichlids that reach lengths of up to 17–35 cm (7–14 in) depending on the exact species. [2] Vieja feed mostly on vegetable matter, but may also take small invertebrates. [2]
Historically, Vieja was included in Cichlasoma. Once recognized as its own genus, it sometimes included most of the superficially similar, relatively large and high-bodied cichlids of Central America and southern Mexico, but several of these are now considered to belong to separate genera: Chuco, Cincelichthys, Isthmoheros, Kihnichthys, Maskaheros and Oscura (Oscuro might still be better merged with Vieja, but this remains unconfirmed). Conversely, Vieja has sometimes been included in Paraneetroplus. [1] [3]
There are currently 8 recognized species in the genus Vieja: [2]
In addition to these, two further species have commonly been recognized: The first is V. coatlicue, but today it is usually considered the Atlantic slope population of V. zonata. [4] The second is V. synspilum, in which case V. melanurus is limited to the Lake Petén system, but a review found that the supposed differences between them are invalid. [5]
Because of individual, regional and age-related variations, definite separation of some species can be difficult. [6] Furthermore, hybrids occur, sometimes even between a Vieja species and a species from another heroine genus. [7] The enigmatic Amphilophus margaritifer, sometimes still recognized as a valid species, is most likely a hybrid involving Thorichthys and Vieja. [3] [8]