Oaxaca Cichlid, Vieja zonata
Oaxaca Cichlid, Vieja zonata. Fish caught out from the Meadow Hotsprings, Meadow, Utah, August 2020. Length: 14 cm (5.5 inches). Catch, photograph and identification courtesy of Luke Ovgard, Klamath Falls, Oregon.
The Oaxaca Cichlid, Vieja zonata, is a member of the Cichlid and Tilapia or Cichlidae Family, that is known in as vieja zonata. Globally, there are eight species in the genus Vieja, of which six are found in the freshwater systems of Mexico.
The Oaxaca Cichlid has an elongated, deep, oval-shaped, and compressed body with a disproportionate deep head. They have a light blue background but are heavily covered with small spots with a fairly wide black mid-stripe lateral line, a short black line from mid-body at eye height and a dark spot on the gill cover with the markings being less pronounced in younger fish. They have a short horizonal mouth with a slightly projecting upper jaw that is highly protrusible that is equipped with conical or cylindrical teeth. Their anal fin has 5 or 6 spines and 8 to 11 rays; their caudal peduncle is short and wide; their dorsal fin has 15 to 18 spines and 10 to 14 rays and is continuous; and, their pectoral fins are short and do not reach the anal fin origin. They have 7 to 15 gill rakers. They are covered with scales. Their lateral line has two straight overlapping sections.
The Oaxaca Cichlid is found in both small and large streams in clear water that has a slight to swift current over gravel, rocks, sand, and silt substrate with limited amounts of vegetation. They are found in water temperatures between 23oC (73oF) and 30oC (86oF). They reach a maximum of 25 cm (9.8 inches) in length. They are omnivores that consume a significant amount of plant materials including algae. The Oaxaca 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.
In Mexico the Oaxaca Cichlid is native to the Pacific Slope, from Rio Tequisistlan west of Tehuantepec eastward to Rio Tapanatepec in Oaxaca. The feral populations found in the wild of Utah are presumably from aquarium releases.
The Oaxaca Cichlid, due to its body shape and colorations is a straightforward identification that cannot be confused with any other species.
From a conservation perspective the Oaxaca Cichlid has not been formally evaluated and is currently classified as Data Deficient but of concern due to their limited range. They are utilized by the aquarium trade due to their colorful body, peaceful nature and easy maintenance. They will also reproduce in captivity.