Parachromis dovii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cichliformes
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Parachromis
Species:
P. dovii
Binomial name
Parachromis dovii
(Günther, 1864)
Synonyms
  • Heros dovii Günther, 1864
  • Cichlasoma dovii (Günther, 1864)
  • Herichthys dovii (Günther, 1864)

Parachromis dovii, the guapote, rainbow bass, or wolf cichlid, is a species of cichlid native to Central America where it occurs in lakes, rivers and streams in Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.[1] It is one of the largest cichlids, reaching up to 14 kg (31 lb) in weight and 80 cm (2.6 ft) long.[2] A strongly predatory species, it mostly feeds on other fish.[3] P. dovii is important to local commercial fisheries, sought after as a gamefish,[3] and sometimes kept in aquariums.[4]

Etymology

The fish is named in honor of John Melmoth Dow (1827-1892) of the Panama Railroad Company. As a ship captain and amateur naturalist, he collected the type specimen.[5]

As pets

Parachromis dovii is sometimes sought after by well experienced aquarists. While they are noted for their relatively high intelligence and lifespan of up to a few decades, they require special care due to their large size and high levels of aggression even by cichlid standards, meaning that few–if any–tank mates are possible.[4][6]

Conservation

Parachromis dovii is widespread in its native range and generally common. Although it has declined locally due to overfishing and pollution, it is not considered threatened.[1] It occurs in Costa Rica's Maquenque National Wildlife Refuge.[7] The species has been introduced to some locations in Central America where not native.[1]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Parachromis dovii.
  1. 1 2 3 4 Lyons, T.J.; Matamoros, W.A. (2020). "Parachromis dovii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T159145817A159145827. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T159145817A159145827.en. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  2. ↑ "Parachromis dovii". Fishing World Records. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  3. 1 2 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2023). "Parachromis dovii" in FishBase. February 2023 version.
  4. 1 2 Badman's, Tropical fish. "Wolf Cichlid: A Care Guide for the Ferocious Tropical Cichlid Species". Badman's tropical Fish. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  5. ↑ Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara (22 September 2018). "Order CICHLIFORMES: Family CICHLIDAE: Subfamily CICHLINAE (d-w)". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  6. ↑ Childs, Ken. "Wolf Cichlid". animal-world. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  7. ↑ Mauricio Salas Varga (July 2008). Humedales de Ramsar (FIR) – Versión 2006-2008 (PDF) (Report) (in Spanish). Centro Científico Tropical. p. 20. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
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