Australoheros acaroides (Hensel, 1870)

Family:  Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Cichlinae
Max. size:  12.01 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish
Distribution:  South America: lower and middle parts of the rio Jacuí drainage, lago Guaíba and its tributaries and Patos-Mirim Lagoon systen in the coastal plain, Brazil.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 16-17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-10; Anal spines: 6-8; Anal soft rays: 7-9. Distinguished from all members of the Australoheros forquilha, Australoheros scitulus and Australoheros kaaygua groups by the presence of well developed caudal-fin base spot ( vs. spot absent or weakly developed as a pigment narrow bar); from Australoheros minuano and all the species of the Australoheros facetus group by having a well developed longitudinal stripe (vs. weakly developed) and three abdominal bars vs. four (except in Australoheros guarani; from all the species of Australoheros kaaygua group by the possession of more pectoral rays 14 (vs. 12-13); from Australoheros facetus by its isognathous jaw (vs. prognathous); and from Australoheros facetus and Australoheros guarani by having modally 5 cheek scale rows (vs. three in Australoheros facetus and four in Australoheros guarani) (Ref. 85206).
Biology:  It occurs in streams with moderate current and with sandy and clayey substratum. During dry season, this species is found in deeper parts of the streams, usually shaded by vegetation. It also inhabits marginal lagoons and flooded regions of great rivers. Can tolerate moderately salt water in some lagoons and estuaries. Diurnal, feeding preferentially on diptera larvae, macrophytes, cladocera, hirudinea and some aquatic ascaris (Ref. 85206).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 November 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.