Cleithracara maronii (Steindachner, 1881)
Keyhole cichlid
Cleithracara maronii
photo by Hippocampus-Bildarchiv

Family:  Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Cichlasomatinae
Max. size:  7.1 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish; pH range: 6 - 8; dH range: 20
Distribution:  South America: Trinidad (impersistent), Orinoco River basin (delta), rivers from Barima River (Guyana) to Ouanary River (French Guiana).
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Inhabits small creeks in the coastal zone, which have clear water and little current (Ref. 7020) and is rich in decaying wood (Ref. 35237). Feeds on worms, crustaceans and insects (Ref. 7020). When faced with danger, this fearful species fix itself against a log adapting its color pattern to the substrate. Parents take care of the spawned eggs, numbering about 400, which are laid down on a flat stone (Ref. 35237).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 28 October 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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