Petén Cichlid, Theraps intermedius
Petén Cichlid, Theraps intermedius. Fish caught from a pond in Belize City, Belize, December 2020. Length: 18 cm (7.1 inches). Catch, photograph, and identification courtesy of Josh Leisen (joshadventures.com), Gaylord, Michigan.
The Petén Cichlid, Theraps intermedius, is a member of the Cichlid and Tilapia or Cichlidae Family, that is also known as the Northern Checkmark Cichlid and the Northern Checkmark Reekfish and known in Mexico as mojarra del Petén. Globally, there are two species in the genus Theraps and two are found in the freshwater systems of Mexico that feed into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Petén Cichlid has a “bluegill” relatively elongated body profile being longer than it is deep. They vary in color with the adults being a brick red color that is covered with speckling. Their anal and dorsal fins are covered with spots. The juveniles have a dark, backward facing check mark on their flanks. Their mouth is subterminal with the upper jaw extending beyond the lower.
The Petén Cichlid is found in calm pools, backwaters and moderately flowing fresh water of middle and upper river valleys in small groups of 10 to 30 in close proximity to large rock formations with water temperatures between 26oC (79oF) and 30oC (86oF). They reach a maximum of 20 cm (7.9 inches) in length. The Petén Cichlid is an omnivore. Reproduction is oviparous. The Petén Cichlid is poorly studied with very limited information available about their lifestyle and behavioral patterns including specific details on age, growth, longevity, movement patterns, diet, habitat use, and reproduction.
The Petén Cichlid is native to the lowland areas on the Atlantic Slope within the Grijalva and Usumacinta Rivers of southeast Mexico in the states of Chiapas and Tabasco.
The Petén Cichlid is a straightforward identification based on body coloration and shape.
From a conservation perspective the Petén Cichlid is currently considered to be of Least Concern with stable, widely distributed populations. They are protected as some level by Mexican Law. Their long-term viability is threated by human developments that cause altered water supplies and pollution and the introduction of non-native species. They are caught at a small level for human consumption. They are also utilized by the aquarium trade at a nominal level.