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FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM.

PUBLICATION 121.
ZOOLOGICAL SERIES. VOL. VII, No. 4.

SYNOPSIS OF THE FISHES OF

THE GREAT LAKES OF

NICARAGUA

BY

SETH EUGENE MEEK,
Assistant Curator of Department.

CHARLES B. CORY,
Curator of Department of Zoology

CHICAGO, U. S. A.
July, 1907

SYNOPSIS OF THE FISHES OF THE GREAT LAKES OF

NICARAGUA.

BY SETH EUGENE MEEK.

The following synopsis is based on a collection of fishes made by
the writer in March, 1906. As the collection contains quite large series
of several species hitherto known from one or a very few individuals, it
seems advisable to re-describe these and give a somewhat complete
account of the other species. In the present paper are given keys
and descriptions which will enable one to identify quite easily any or
all species known to inhabit these lakes. Lake Nicaragua, the largest
of the lakes in Nicaragua, is about no miles in length with an average
width of about 40 miles, and a maximum depth of about 25 fathoms.
Lake Managua is much smaller, having a length of about 40 miles, a
maximum width of about 25 miles, and a maximum depth of about
15 fathoms. In the spring of 1906 the water in the lakes was much
lower than usual for this time of year. Captain Tooth, who has been
a sailor on Lake Managua for more than a decade, told me he never
saw the lake so low as then. The shore of this lake near Managua,
Momotomba, and San Francisco is rocky or sandy. Aquatic vegeta-
tion, which is reported to be very abundant along the shores in time
of high water, had disappeared, the lake being at this time about
2 fathoms below high-water mark. The water in this lake was reddish
in color and contained in suspension a considerable amount of fine silt.
It was only with much difficulty that the water would pass through a
net used for collecting plankton. The temperature of the lake, taken
ai several places at a depth of 2 fathoms, was 83 F. The tempera-
ture of a bucket of water drawn from a well in Managua from a depth
of 100 feet was 83 F. This temperature was found at about 5 fath-
oms in Lake Tiscapa, a small volcanic lake near Managua, and at
same altitude as Lake Managua. The same temperature was
observed in Lake Nicaragua in 3 fathoms of water off the steamboat
pier. Only the northern end of Lake Nicaragua was visited. Its
shores, in the vicinity of Granada, are sandy and with a very limited
quantity of aquatic vegetation in extreme low water.

The collections of fishes were made at the following places : Lake
Managua, at Managua and Momotomba; Lagoon, at San Francisco;
Lake Tiscapa, near Managua ; Lake Managua, near Granada; Lagoon

97

98 FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM ZOOLOGY, VOL. VII.

Jenicero, between Lakes Managua and Nicaragua ; and Lagoon Cis-
playa, south of Granada. Lake Tiscapa appears to be in the basin
of a volcanic crater. The lake is nearly circular, about one fourth
of a mile in diameter. It is surrounded by a wall about 200 feet
above the lake. It is reported to be very deep. Two species of fishes
inhabit this lake in considerable numbers, Cichlasoma citrinellum,
and Poecilia sphenops.

Not far from Lake Managua, and between La Paz and Masaya,
are several of these small volcanic lakes. All except one, Nahapa,
whose water is reported to be very alkaline, contain fishes. The
Superintendent of the Nicaragua Railroad informed me that the two
volcanic lakes near Masaya were about 135 fathoms in depth, and that
these were the deepest of all. There are no boats on any of these
lakes. The walls about them were so steep that collecting fishes in
them was difficult, and so the short time at my command was
devoted to collecting in more favorable localities.

Lagoon Jenicero was little more than the remnant of a partially
dry swamp. The water was nowhere more than a foot deep, under
which was a layer of partially decomposed vegetable matter about
3 feet thick, in which it was impossible to draw a seine. A 75-foot
seine was placed in a semicircle, the natives drove the fish into this
enclosure, then drew the ends of the net together, completing the circle.
By stirring up the mud in the center, the fishes would swim against the
net, where they were caught by the natives. Fishes in this lagoon
were abundant. The scarcity of Poecilia sphenops and Roeboides
guatemalensis , two species of mud-loving fishes, was noticeable; also
the absence of the smaller. fishes, except the Cichlids. The Tropical
Gar was quite plentiful. The Guapote is caught here in considerable
numbers. These fishes are taken with a cast net and a gill net. Three
men form a triangle by standing about 25 feet apart. A cast net of
about 10 feet in diameter is thrown in this triangle by one of the men.
The three men then quickly force the lead line into the mud. They
then run their hands over the surface of the net, catching hold of any
large Guapotes, the lead line is then raised and the fishes taken out,
placed in a dug-out and taken to a large basket-like box. The gill
net is a crude affair about 30 or 40 feet long, and about two feet in
depth. It is run out in a straight line and then the fishes are driven
into it. Each setting would yield from i to 3 or 4 Guapotes.
Only a few Mo j arras large enough for the market are taken in this
lagoon. Lagoon Cisplaya is simply an estuary of a small stream, and
is thus connected with the lake. The great lakes of Nicaragua
appear quite well stocked with large fishes, most of which are edible.

JULY, 1907. FISHES OF GREAT LAKES, NICARAGUA MEEK. 99

The Roballo and the large Mojarras are excellent food fishes. The
smaller species, except the Melaniris sardina, known as Sardina, are
not seen in the markets; this species is taken during the breeding
season in large numbers. They are eaten fresh at this time, and
many are dried and marketed in this way.

One of the peculiar Ichthic features of the lake is the red, or par-
tially red, Cichlids or Mojarras. They are very abundant in the
large lakes, and are reported to occur in some of the smaller ones.
In Lake Tiscapa there are no red forms, nor any red on any of the
fishes taken there. Red forms occur in Lakes Asososco, Masaya, and
Apoyo. I did not find any red fishes in Lagoon Jenicero, and the
fishermen there informed me that none were found in it. The cause
of this rubrism * is not known . I have never seen it among fishes
in any other body of water. Judging from the drawings of species
from Lake Peten, Guatemala, it appears to be present in some of
the Cichlids there. About 8 per cent of the fishes noticed in the
markets of Managua were red, or partially so, and were sold as
Mojarras Colorados. These red forms appeared to be the best sellers,
but for this I could learn no reason. The dark color on the fishes
only partially red was darker than on the fishes with normal colora-
tion. There was a slight tinge of red on the breast of many specimens
of apparently normal color. Rubrism was entirely absent in all
the fishes taken from Lake Tiscapa and Lagoon Jenicero. The pres-
ence of salt-water fishes in Lake Nicaragua is interesting. These,
no doubt, became stranded there at a time when the lake was more
intimately connected with the sea than it is now. It is hardly prob-
able that they have come up over the falls at the head of the Rio
San Juan in late years, for they have not entered Lake Managua,
and the falls between the lakes are not so difficult to pass, as those
in the Rio San Juan. All of these salt-water genera represented in
Lake Managua have representatives in brackish and fresh water, and
are found in company with species of Cichlids. So few fishes are
known from the eastern streams of Central America between the Rio
Montagua in Guatemala and Panama, that it is impossible to discuss
the relationship of the fish fauna of the lakes and that of the neigh-
boring rivers with much degree of certainty.

I wish to acknowledge my indebtedness to Senor Don Dioclesiano
Chaves, taxidermist of the National Museum in Managua, and his
two assistants, also to Sr. Latino, student of the College in Managua,
for assistance in making the collections in Lakes Tiscapa and Managua.

* Rubrism is known to occur in Cichlasoma citrinellum, Cichlasoma erythr&um
and Cichlasoma labiatum.

ioo FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM ZOOLOGY, VOL. VII.

To U. S. Vice-Consul A. O. Wallace I am also much indebted for
many courtesies. Through his efforts I was enabled to get my outfit
into the country without duty or delay. His interest in the work
and the many personal favors granted are certainly much appreciated.

The following notes and the accompanying figure are given to
explain the terms used in the descriptions:

i. Head. 2. Snout. 3. Eye. 4. Premaxillary. 5. Maxillary.
6. Supplemental maxillary. 7. Mandible, or lower jaw. 8. Sym-
physis. 9. Cheek. 10. Preopercle. n. Opercle. 12. Subopercle..
13. Spinous portion of dorsal fin. 14. Soft portion of dorsal fin.
15. Base of dorsal fin. 16. Pectoral fin. 17. Anal fin. 18. Ven-
tral fin. 19. Base of caudal fin (last vertebra). 20. Caudal fin.
21. Lateral line. 22. Depth of the fish. 23. Depth of caudal
peduncle. 24. Caudal peduncle.

The PROFILE of the fish, unless otherwise mentioned, is the curve
from the highest point on the back to the tip of the snout. The
ORIGIN of the DORSAL or ANAL FIN is the insertion of its first spine or
ray.

Fishes in general, and especially those treated of in this paper,
breathe by means of GILLS, which are fine, hair-like projections (BRAN-
CH^E) , usually supported on the outer curves of cartilaginous or bony
arches known as GILL ARCHES; in the true fishes, -the normal number
on each side is four. The GILL RAKERS are a series of bony appen-
dages variously formed along the inner edge of the anterior gill arch.

The GILL MEMBRANES usually serve to attach the GILL COVERS to
the ISTHMUS, which is the thick, fleshy projection between the gill
openings. The BRANCHIOSTEGAL MEMBRANES are attached to the
lower posterior portions of the gill covers; the cartilaginous or bony
supports of this membrane are the BRANCHIOSTEGAL RAYS.

The PHARYNGEAL BONES are behind the gills and at the beginning
of the CESOPHAGUS; in true fishes, they represent a fifth gill arch.

The fins of fishes are composed of SPINES and RAYS, the former
being stiff, bony structures usually connected by a thin membrane;
the rays are rather weak, jointed, cartilaginous structures, and are
also connected by a thin membrane.

A CYCLOID SCALE has its posterior margin smooth; such scales
are usually found on soft-rayed fishes. A CTENOID SCALE has its pos-
terior margin rough or toothed ; such scales are characteristic of the
spiny-rayed fishes.

The LENGTH of the BODY of the FISH is measured from the tip of
the upper jaw to the base of the caudal fin or end of the last vertebra ;
the TOTAL LENGTH, from extreme ends of the fish. The LENGTH of the

102 FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM ZOOLOGY, VOL. VII.

HEAD is measured from tip or upper jaw to the posterior edge of the
opercle; the LENGTH of the SNOUT, from tip of upper jaw to anterior
margin of the orbit. The DEPTH of the BODY is measured at its
deepest part, none of the fins being included; the DEPTH of CAUDAL
PEDUNCLE is measured at its narrowest part, its length from base of
last anal ray to end of last vertebra.

The SCALES in the LATERAL SERIES are counted from upper edge
of opercle to base of caudal fin, the TRANSVERSE SERIES from the dor-
sal fin to ventrals or origin of anal, whichever is nearest the middle of*
the body. In making the transverse count the scale on the lateral
line, when it is present, is counted with those on the upper part of
the body. The LENGTH of the DORSAL and ANAL FINS is measured
along their BASES; the HEIGHT is the length of their spines or rays.
The length of the other fins is measured from attachment to the
body to the tips of the longest rays.

In order to abbreviate, the following expressions are used: " HEAD
4" indicates that the head of the fish is contained 4 times in the
distance from the tip of the snout to the end of the last caudal verte-
bra ; "DEPTH 4 " that the greatest depth (none of the fins being included)
is contained 4 times in the same distance; "D. 8" indicates that the
fish has a single dorsal fin which is composed of 8 soft rays; "D. iv,
9," that the dorsal fin is single and is composed of 4 spines and 9
soft rays; "D. iv-g," that there are two dorsal fins, the first one
composed of 4 spines and the other of 9 soft rays. Spines are
always indicated in roman letters, soft rays by figures. The abbrevi-
ations used in the count of other fin rays and spines are similarly
explained. The diameter of the eye, the length of the snout, and
many other short measurements are compared with the length of
the head. "Eye 3 in head," "Snout 3 in head," indicate that each
is contained 3 times in the length of the head. In these particular
cases " J/s of the length of head" would mean the same thing.

KEY TO THE FAMILIES OF FISHES OF THE GREAT LAKES
OF NICARAGUA.

a. Gill openings slit-like, 5 in number, on each side.

b. Gill openings lateral; no spiracles; snout not produced into

a long flat blade. Galeidce 103

bb. Gill openings ventral; spiracles present; snout produced into
a long, thin, flat blade, armed with teeth along each edge.

Pristida 104

JULY, 1907. FISHES OF GREAT LAKES, NICARAGUA MEEK. 103

aa. Gill openings, one on each side.

c. Ventral fins present, abdominal, not composed of i spine and

5 soft rays.

d. Tail heterocercal ; scales rhomboidal, very hard, ganoid.

Lepisosteidce 104
dd. Tail not heterocercal; scales absent or normal.

e. Adipose fin on dorsal region present.

f. Body without scales; mouth and chin with barbels; adipose

fin long, longer than head. Silurida 105

ff. Body with scales; mouth and chin without barbels; adipose

fin very small. Characinidce 107

ee. No adipose fin on dorsal region.

g. Gular plate present between branches of lower jaw; scales

very large. Elopida 1 1 1

gg. No gular plate.
h. Ventral region compressed, armed with bony serrae.

Dorosomida 112

hh. Ventral region without bony serrae.

i. Dorsal fin single, of soft rays only. Poeciliidce 112

ii. Dorsal fins 2, the first of slender spines, the second of soft rays.

AtherinidcB 114
cc. Ventral fins thoracic, each composed of i spine and 5 soft

rays.

j. Dorsal fin with more than 8 spines; anal spines 3 or more.

k. Lateral line not interrupted ; nostril double on each side ; anal

spines 3, the second very long and strong, longer than third.

4 . Haemulidcz 116

kk. Lateral line interrupted on each side; nostril single on each

side; anal spines more than 3, the second shorter than the

third. CichlidcB 117

jj. Dorsal fin with less than 8 spines; anal spine single. Gobiidoe 131

Family (w
Genus Carcharhiims Blainville.

Sharks with a robust body, broad depressed head, inferior mouth,
strongly serrate teeth in both jaws and no spiracles; first dorsal fin
large, second small.

Carcharhinus nicaraguensis (Gill & Bransford). TIGRONE.

Eulamia nicaraguensis Gill & Bransford, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci.,

104 FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM ZOOLOGY, VOL. VII.

Phila., 1877, 190, Lake Nicaragua; Rio San Juan.
This species is reported to be very abundant in the lower end of
Lake Nicaragua, and in the San Juan River, its outlet. It is reported
to be very ferocious, and many incidents are mentioned of persons
attacked by it. Either this or some other species is very abundant
on the bar of the Colorado River, one of the outlets of the Rio San
Juan. I did not secure any specimens of this species.

Family Pristidse.
Genus Pristis Latham.

Body elongate; snout produced into a long, thin, flat blade with a
series of strong teeth on each edge; mouth inferior; teeth small,
spiracle present; a fold along each side of tail.

Pristis antiquorum Latham.

Pristis antiquorum Giinther, Cat., vm, 438, 1870; Gill & Bransford,

Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1877. 190, Granada.
In Granada I saw several saws of this shark, but was unable to
secure any specimens. The identification of this species is doubtful.

Family Lepisosteidse.

Genus Lepisosteus Lac6pede.

Body elongate, covered with hard rhombic scales; jaws long,
beak-like, armed with pointed teeth ; an accessory gill on inner side of
the opercle; tail heterocercal.

Lepisosteus tropicus (Gill).

Atractosteus tropicus Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1863, 172,
Streams near Panama.

Head 3.1; depth 7.0 to 8.0; D. 8; A. 8; scales 52. Body elon-
gate, snout short, broad, its length 1.7 to 1.8 in head; width of pos-
terior end of snout 4.8 to 5.2; eye 9.0 to 14.0; least depth of caudal
peduncle 4.3 to 4.9 ; upper jaw with two series of enlarged teeth, the
lower with one.

This species occurs in both lakes. It is reported to grow to a
length of 6 feet or more. The largest specimen collected by me is
800 mm. The jaws of a much larger specimen were found on the

JULY, 1907. FISHES OF GREAT LAKES, NICARAGUA MEEK. 105

beach of Lake Managua near Momotomba. This species is certainly
not much different from L. tristoechus of Cuba and the Southern
States, and a comparison of specimens of each of similar size should
be made. I saw no specimens of this species in the markets, and do
not know whether or not it is ever used for food by the inhabitants of
the lake region. Specimens were taken in Lagoon Jenicero, at the
north end of Lake Nicaragua, and in a small lagoon south of Granada,
350 to 800 mm.

Family Siluridse.

Genus Khamclia Bleeker. B ACRES.

Body elongate; head rather narrow; occipital process small or
wanting; adipose fin long, adnate to back for its entire length; bar-
bels 6 ; posterior nostril without a barbel.

Three closely related species of this genus are known to occur
in the lakes.

a. Body slender, depth about 6; maxillary barbels short, not

reaching past middle of base of dorsal fin; in terorbital width,
3.3 to 3.4 in head. managuensis 105

aa. Body robust, depth 4.1 to 4.6; maxillary barbels longer, reach-
ing nearly to or beyond origin of adipose dorsal.

b. Interorbital width 3.1 to 3.4; maxillary barbels reaching

nearly to or slightly past origin of adipose fin.

nicaraguensis 106

bb. Interorbital width 2.4 to 2.6; maxillary barbels reaching past
middle of adipose fin. barbata 106

Rhamdia managuensis (Gunther). BAGRE; CHUCHIN.

Pimelodus managuensis Gunther, Fishes Central Amer., 474,
1868, Lake Managua.

Head 4.5 to 4.7; depth 5.9 to 6; D. 1-6; A. 12. Body long,
slender; head moderate, flattish, in terorbital width 3.3 to 3.4 in head;
snout 2.3 to 2.4 in head; diameter of eye 6 in head; upper jaw
the longer; gill rakers 3 + 10; maxillary barbels not reaching to or
slightly past origin of dorsal spine ; outer mandibulary barbels scarcely
reaching base of pectoral spine; dorsal spine weak, its length 3.1 to
3.6 in head; length of dorsal 1.7 to 1.8 in head, its height 1.6 to 1.7;
origin of dorsal to tip of snout 2.2 in length of body; adipose fin long,
rather low, its length 2.4 to 2.5 in length of body, its height 6.8 to
7.1 in head; distance from last dorsal ray to origin of adipose fin

io6 FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM ZOOLOGY, VOL. VII.

4.8 to 5 in head; length of pectoral fin 1.6 to 1.7 in head; pectoral
spine 2.4 to 2.5 in head; humeral spine about half length of pectoral
spine; ventral fin 1.8 in head; anal fin short, its length 1.6 in head,
tips of anal rays not reaching end of adipose fin; caudal peduncle
slender, its least depth 2.6 to 2.7 in head; caudal fin deeply forked,
its lower lobe the larger.

Color light olivaceous, more or less silvery; .no lateral shade or
band; indistinct light dorsal band, tips of dorsal fin dark, all other
fins plain.

Managua (2), 205 to 240 mm.

Rhamdia nicaraguensis (Gunther). BAGRE; CHUCHIN.

Pimelodus nicaraguensis Gunther, Cat.,v.i 25, 1864, Lake Nicaragua.

Rhamdia nicaraguensis Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila. , 1877, 190.

Head 4.1 to 4.6; depth 4.4 to 4.9; D. 1.6; A. n to 13. Body
rather slender; head flattish, interorbital width 3.1 to 3.4; snout
2.3 to 2.5 in head; diameter of eye 4.6 to 6 in head; upper jaw the
longer; gill rakers 3+9; maxillary barbels reaching nearly to or
slightly past origin of adipose fin, outer mandibulary barbels to or
slightly past base of pectoral spine; dorsal spine weak, its length 3.2
to 3.6 in head; length of dorsal fin 1.8 to 1.9 in* head, its height 1.5 to
1.8; origin of dorsal to end of snout 2.7 to 2.9 in body; adipose fin
long, its length 2.3 to 2.6 in body, its height 6.5 to 7 in head; dis-
tance from last dorsal ray to origin of adipose fin 3.6 to 4.7 in head;
length of pectoral fin 1.6 to 1.7 in head, its spine 2.00 to 2.5; humeral
spine about half length of pectoral spine; ventral fin 1.6 to 1.8 in
head; anal fin moderate, its length 1.4 to 1.8 in head; tips of anal
rays not reaching end of adipose fin, caudal peduncle slender, its least
depth 2.6 in head; caudal fin deeply forked, its lower lobe the longer.

Color light olivaceous, with slight bluish tinge; no distinct lateral
band; light band across dorsal very faint; tips of dorsal fin dark,
other fins plain.

Managua (18), 150 to 250 mm.; San Francisco (i), 155 mm.

Rhamdia barbata sp. nov. BAGRE; CHUCHIN.

Type, No. 5906, F. M. N. H.; length, 200 mm. ; San Francisco,
Nicaragua.

Head 3.7 to 4; depth 4.3 to 4.6; D. 1-6; A. 10 or n. Body
robust; head large, broad; interorbital width 2.4 to 2.6 in head; top
of head nearly flat; snout 2.6 to 2.8 in head; diameter of eye 5 to
6.7; upper jaw slightly the longer; gill rakers 3+6; maxillary bar-
bels large and long, their tips reaching past middle of adipose fin;

JULY, 1907. FISHES OF GREAT LAKES, NICARAGUA MEEK. 107

outer mandibulary barbels reaching to middle of pectoral; dorsal
spine strong, its length 2.7 in head; length of dorsal, 1.9 in head, its
height 1.7; origin of dorsal to tip of snout 2.7 to 2.9 in length of
body; adipose fin long and high, its length 2.3 to 2.6 in body, its
greatest height 4.3 to 5 in length of head; distance from last dorsal
ray to adipose fin 5.7 to 6.8 in head; length of pectoral fin 1.6 to 1.7
in head; pectoral spine robust, its length 2. 2 to 2.3 in head; humeral
spine about half length of pectoral spine; ventral 1.8 to 1.9 in head;
anal short, its length 2.0 to 2.3 in head; tips of anal rays not
reaching end of adipose fin; caudal peduncle strong, its least
depth 2.2 in head; caudal fin deeply forked, the lower lobe the
longer.

Color dark olivaceous, more or less mottled with darker, being
darkest on middle of sides ; a light band on dorsal fin near its base ;
other fins rather dark, all plain.

San Francisco (8), 150 to 240; Managua (i), 240.

Family Characinidse. THE CHARACINS.

This family is represented in the lake by five species, which are
easily recognized by their thin cycloid scales, presence of a small
posterior adipose fin, and the absence of scales on the head. These
species belong to four genera, which are distinguished as follows:

a. Teeth in upper jaw in two or three series.

b. Teeth in upper jaw in two series; anal fin with less than 30

rays; scales 36. Astyanax 107

bb. Teeth in upper jaw in 3 series; anal rays about 35; scales
about 54. Brycon 109

aa. Teeth in upper jaw in a single series.

c. Scales large, less than 45 in the transverse series; anal rays

less than 30. Bramocharax no

c. Scales small, about 80, in transverse series; anal rays more

than 40. Rceboides in

Genus Astyanax Baird & Girard.

a. Snout long, its length 3.3 to 3.5 in head; maxillary 2 to 2.2 in

head. nasutus 108

aa. Snout short, its length 3.7 to 4.2 in head; maxillary 2.3 to 2.6

in head. * asneus 108

io8 FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM ZOOLOGY, VOL. VII.

Astyanax nasutus sp. nov.

Type, No. 5909, F. M. N. H.; length, 125 mm.; Lake Managua,
Managua, Nicaragua.

Head 3.9 to 4.3; depth 2.7 to 2.9; D. 1.9; A. 25 or 26; scales
8-36-7. Body elongate, compressed ; profile between nape and end of
snout slightly concave; top of head quite flat; dorsal and ventral
outlines about equally convex ; snout long, its length 3.3 to 3.5 in head j
maxillary slender, its tip reaching past vertical from front of orbit,
its length 2 to 2.2 in head; chin very prominent; eye 2.9 to 3.1 in"
head ; gill rakers slender, 8 + 1 1 ; origin of dorsal fin slightly behind
that of ventrals, its distance from tip of snout 1.9 in length of body;
base of dorsal 1.8 in its height, its height i.i in head ; origin of anal fin
slightly behind base of last dorsal ray, its distance from snout 1.5 to
1.6 in length of body; base of anal 3.6 in length of body; pectoral
fins not reaching ventrals, length 1.2 to 1.3 in head; ventrals reach-
ing to or slightly past vent, length 1.6 to 1.7 in head; lateral line
complete, decurved.

Color light olivaceous, a broad plumbeous band from upper edge of
opercle to base of caudal, broadening into a caudal blotch ; humeral
spot present.

Managua (12), 85 to 125 mm.; Cisplaya (i), 95 mm.

Astyanax aeneus (Gunther).

Head 3.9 to 4.4; depth 2.4 to 3.2; D. 1.9; A. 26 to 28; scales
8-38-6. Body compressed, more or less elongate; ventral outlines
usually more curved than the dorsal; profile from nape to end of
snout straight or concave; snout short, 3.7 to 4.2 in head; maxillary
slender, its tip reaching vertical from orbit, length 2.3 to 2.6; jaws
subequal; mandible 2 to 2. 4 in head; eye 2. 8 to 3. 8; gill rakers slender,
7 to 9+10 or ii ; origin of dorsal to tip of snout 1.9 to 2.1 in length
of body; base of dorsal ^3 height of fin, its longest ray i.o to 1.3
in head; base of anal fin 3.1 to 3.5 in body, equalling or slightly
longer than head ; origin of anal fin behind vertical from base to last
ray of dorsal, its distance from tip of snout 1.5 to 1.6 in body; pectoral
fin in the deeper individuals reaching base of ventrals, in larger or
slender individuals falling short at this point by one or two scale
lengths; length of pectorals i.i to 1.3 in head; ventrals reaching
to or slightly past vent; length of ventral 1.5 to 1.7 in head; lateral
line decurved, complete.

Color light olive, silvery, a dark lateral band from upper edge of
opercle to base of caudal ; one or two dark humeral spots ; an elongate
caudal blotch. There is a considerable amount of variation in this

JULY, 1907. FISHES OF GREAT LAKES, NICARAGUA MEEK. 109

species. Some are quite slender, others deeper. The lateral band is
more prominent on some individuals than on others. The two
humeral spots may be present on one side, and but one present on
the other. A comparison of the material listed below with a con-
siderable number of specimens from Caballo Blanco, San Jose del
Idolo, Lake Amatitlan and El Rancho, Guatemala, show no con-
stant differences.

Tetragonopterus humilis Giinther, Cat., v, 325, 1864, Lake Amatit-
lan, Guatemala, is evidently based upon a slender specimen of this
species.

This species is very abundant in Lakes ..Managua and Nicaragua.
It does not occur in Lake Tiscapa.

Momotomba (47), 55 to 115 mm.; Managua (165), 55 to 100 mm.;
San Francisco (2), 60 and 65 mm.; Granada (25), 75 to no mm.;
Cisplaya (6), 45 to 65 mm.

Genus Brycoii Miiller & Troschel.

Brycon dentex (Giinther). SABALO.

Chalcinopsis dentex Gill & Bransford, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila.,
18-77, J 88, Lake Nicaragua.

Head 4.1; depth 3.6; D. 10; A. 35; scales 17-54. Body elongate,
compressed ; dorsal and ventral outline about evenly convex ; profile
from nape to end of snout very slightly concave ; upper jaw project-
ing, exposing two series of teeth ; teeth of upper jaw with three series
of tri cuspid teeth, the two outer series small and in the portion
of upper jaw usually projecting beyond the lower; the posterior
series large and opposed to the single row of three to five cuspid teeth
on edge of maxillary; gill rakers long and slender, 12 +13 ; maxillary
long and slender, extending to vertical from middle of eye, its length
2.1 in head; snout pointed, overhanging the mouth, its length 3.6 in
head; adipose eyelid slightly developed; diameter of eye 3.1 to 3.6
in head; mandible strong, 2.2 in head; origin of dorsal over middle
of space between origin of ventral and anal fins, its distance from
end of snout 1.8 in body; origin of anal under last dorsal rays, its
distance from snout 1.6 in body; base of dorsal 2.1 in head, its height
1.4; base of anal 3.2 to 3.3 in body; tip of pectoral nearly reaching
ventrals; ventrals to vent; no lateral line.

Color silvery below, dark bluish above; fins all plain.

This species is said to grow to a length of a foot or more. It is
considered a good food fish, and it is often dried and marketed in that

no FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM ZOOLOGY, VOL. VII.

state. The Guapote and Roballo only are regarded as its superior.
Momotomba (i), 160 mm.; Managua (2), 130 and 160; Granada
(3), 235 mm.

Genus Bramocharax Gill.

Two species of this genus occur in the lakes.

a. Body robust, its depth 2.7 in length. bransfordi no

aa. Body slender, its depth 3.4 to 3.9 in length. elongatus no

Bramocharax bransfordi Gill

Bramocharax bransfordi Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1877,

190, Lake Nicaragua.
I did not secure any specimens of this species.

Bramocharax elongatus sp. nov. SABALITO.

Type, No. 5922, F. M. N. H.; length, 130 mm.; Lake Managua,
Managua, Nicaragua.

Head 3.1 to 3.3; depth 3.4 to 3.9; D. 10; A. 25 to 28; scales
8-41-6. Body elongated, compressed; snout slender, pointed, the
upper jaw slightly the longer; snout 3.2 to 3.4 in head; maxillary
long and slender, its tip reaching to vertical from middle of pupil,
2.1 to 2.2 in head; mandible 2 in head; diameter of eye 3.6 to 4.0 in
head; teeth in each jaw in one series; two anterior teeth of each jaw
enlarged and canine-like, the upper ones extending beyond tip of
lower jaw; one or two lateral teeth in lower jaw enlarged; all the
teeth more or less compressed, the smaller ones, especially those on
edge of maxillary, with one or two basal cusps; gill rakers 9+11;
origin of dorsal slightly behind ventrals, its distance from tip of snout
1.9 to 2.0 in body; base of dorsal fin 2.2 to 2.4 in head, its height
1.4; base of anal 3.6 to 3.8 in body; adipose fin opposite last anal
rays; tips of pectorals reaching nearly to or slightly past base of
ventrals, 1.6 to 1.8 in head; ventrals not reaching anal, 2.0 to 2.2 in
head; least depth caudal peduncle 3.0 to 3.2 in head; lateral line
decurved; caudal fin forked; air bladder in two parts, the posterior
about twice the size of anterior; tube connecting air bladder with
the oesophagus rising from anterior end of posterior lobe.

Color olivaceous, darker above; a dark humeral spot; a dark
lateral band from upper edge of opercle to base of caudal, ending in a
blotch; fins all plain.

Momotomba (4), 121 to 131 mm.; Managua (21), in to 150 mm.

JULY, 1907. FISHES OF GREAT LAKES, NICARAGUA MEEK. in

Genus Koeboides Gxinther.
But one species of this genus is known to occur in Central America,

Roeboides guatemalensis Giinther.

Head 3.9; depth 2.9 to 3 ; D. 10; A. 48; scales 18-80-19. Body
elognate, much compressed; profile S-shaped; head small; mouth
large, oblique; maxillary reaching vertical from middle of eye, its
length 2 in head; upper jaw the longer;, mandible strong, its length
1.9 in head; diameter of eye 2.9 to 3.2; interorbital width 2.9 to 3.2
in head; jaws subequal; gill rakers slender, 7+9; origin of dorsal
behind that of anal, its distance from end of snout 1.8 to 1.9 in length
of body; length of dorsal 2 in head, its height equaling head; anal
fin very long, its base 1.9 in body; origin of anal to tip of snout
2.3 to 2.4 in body; pectorals 1.2 in head; ventrals 1.3; lateral line
straight, complete.

Color olivaceous, a darkish band made up of small dark spots
above lateral line ; a faint humeral blotch ; membrane of anal fin with
many small dots, other fins usually plain, occasionally a black spot
just below lateral line and above middle of pectoral fin. A single
specimen of this species from San Geronimo, Oaxaca, Mexico, has the
upper jaw decidedly longer than the lower; in all other respects like
specimens from San Francisco, Nicaragua.

This species occurs in the waters of the Pacific Slope from San
Geronimo, Oaxaca, in Mexico to Lake Nicaragua, and in the Rio
Chagres. It was not taken by Miller in the Rio Montagua, and is not
known from any Atlantic Coast stream north of the lakes in Nicaragua.

San Francisco (17), 65 to 125 mm.; Jenicero (i), 85 mm.

Family Elopidse.

The presence of a gular plate between the branches of the lower
jaw at once distinguishes this family from all others represented in
the lakes.

Tarpon atlanticus? (Cuvier & Valenciennes) . SABALO.

Megalops , Gill & Bransford, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila.,

1877, X 87, Toro Rapids, Rio San Juan.

Head 4; depth 3.8; D. 12; A. 20; scales 42. Body compressed,
little elevated; dorsal filament longer than head; mouth large, armed
with pointed teeth.

ii2 FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM ZOOLOGY, VOL. VII.

Color uniform, bright silvery, back darker.

I did not see or secure any specimens of this species. So far as
I could learn, it is not taken in Lake Managua, and is not abundant
in Lake Nicaragua. This species is known as Sabalo. The same
name is also used for Brycon dentex. This species is said by the
natives to grow to a greater length than the height of a man.

Family Dorosomidre.
Genus Dorosoma Rafinesque.

Dorosoma chavesi sp. nov. SABALO.

Type, No. 5928, F. M. N. H.; length, 170 mm. ; Lagoon Jenicero,
Granada, Nicaragua.

Opisthonema libertatis Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1877,
187, Lake Nicaragua (nee Giinther).

Head 2.7 to 3.1; depth 2.8; D. 12 to 15; A. 26 to 30; scales
74 to 78; scutes 17 to 19-9 to 10. Body elongate, compressed, the
ventral outline more curved than the dorsal; head large; mouth
large, the jaws subequal; maxillary very long and slender, its tip
reaching vertical from middle of eye, without distinct notch on its
outer margin, its length 3 to 3.3 in head; supplemental maxillary
bone slender; mandible strong, its length 2.1 in head; eye large, with
well-developed adipose eyelid, its diameter 3. to 3.3 in head; origin of
dorsal fin nearer base of caudal than tip of snout; last ray of dorsal
slightly produced in most individuals but seldom reaching half-way to
base of caudal fin ; tips of ventrals reaching slightly past base of ven-
trals; base of anal shorter than head, its length i.i to 1.5 in length of
head ; scales persistent.

Color steel-blue above, silvery below; a black humeral spot; fins
all plain.

This species differs from other known members of the genus in the
larger head, longer and more slender maxillary and premaxillary, and
having base of anal fin shorter than the head. Named for Senor Don
Dioclesiano Chaves, of the National Museum of Nicaragua.

Momotomba (15), 47 to 80 mm.; Managua (35), 60 to 180 mm.;
San Francisco (6), 145 to 165 mm.; Jenicero (20), 160 to 210 mm.

Family Pceciliidae.

Of this family there are but two genera so far known to occur in
the lake.

JULY, 1907. FISHES OF GREAT LAKES, NICARAGUA MEEK. 113

a. Intestinal canal comparatively short, usually about the length

of the body; teeth not movable. Paragambusia 113

aa. Intestinal canal comparatively elongate, usually coiled on the

ventral and right side ; teeth movable. Poecilia 113

Genus Paragambusia Meek.

Paragambusia nicaraguensis (Gunther).

Gambusia nicaraguensis Gunther, Cat., vi, 336, 1866, Lake Nicara-
gua: Gunther, Fishes Cent. Amer., 483, PI. LXXXII, fig. 3, 1869,
Lake Nicaragua: Gill & Bransford, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci.,
Phila., 1877, 187.

Head 3.5; depth 2.5; D. 6; A. 10; scales 10-26. Body much
compressed; head small, depressed; interorbital flat, 1.7 in head;
snout 3.3 ; diameter of eye 3 ; origin of dorsal fin (9 ) almost entirely
behind anal, its distance from base of caudal 2 in its distance from
tip of snout; anal fin of female with its first 3 or 4 rays produced and
falciform, the longest ray equaling distance from tip of snout to base
of pectoral fin; pectoral fin equaling length of head; ventral 2 in
head, one of its rays slightly produced; peritoneum black; alimentary
canal less than the length of the fish.

Color light brownish; dorsal and caudal fins spotted with black
dots ; in the larger females the produced anal rays are black ; a dark
bar downward and backward from eye. This fish reaches a length of
about 25 mm.

This species is known from the Atlantic streams of the Isthmus of
Tehuantepec, the Rio Montagua in Guatemala, and Lake Nicaragua.
No individuals of this species were taken by me in Nicaragua.

Genus P<Ecilia Bloch & Schneider.
One species of this genus occurs in the lake. '

Poecilia sphenops (Cuvier & Valenciennes). JULUMINA.

Pcecilia dovii Gunther, Cat., v, 344, 1866, Lake of Nicaragua;
Lake Amatitlan, Guatemala: Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila.,
1877, I ^7> Lake Nicaragua.

Head 3.5 to 4.4; depth 2.8 to 3.4; D. 8 to 10; A. 8 or 9; scales
9 to 1 1-25 to 29. Body robust, compressed ; back not much elevated ;
interorbital area nearly flat 1.7 to 1.8 in head ; snout 2.2 to 4.5 in head ;

ii4 FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM ZOOLOGY, VOL. VII.

diameter of eye 3.2 to 4.2; dorsal .fin in advance of anal, midway
between base of caudal and posterior margin of eye ; dorsal fin in old
males extremely high, its longest ray longer than head ; least depth
of caudal peduncle i.i to 1.6 in head; intestinal canal coiled on right
side, very elongate.

Color variable, usually dusky brown above, lighter below; edges
of scales usually light, forming more or less indistinct lateral stripes ;
males usually have light vertical bars.

This species is very abundant in Lakes Managua, Nicaragua and
Tiscapa.

Momotomba (200), 55 to 115 mm.; Managua (12), 60 to 125 mm.;
Tiscapa (90), 35 to 955 mm.; San Francisco (80), 80 to 120 mm.;
Jenicero (25), 40 to no mm.; Cisplaya (30), 90 to 130 mm.

Family Atherinidse.
Genus Melaiiiris Meek.

Melaniris sardina sp. nov. SARDINA.

Chirostoma guatemalensis Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1877,
187, Lake Nicaragua (nee Gunther).

Type, No. 5937, F. M. N. H.; length, 65 mm. ; Lake Managua,
Managua, Nicaragua.

Head 4.25; depth 4.43; D. in or iv-g or 10; A. 20 to 23; scales
9-37 to 39. Body elongate, moderately compressed; mouth small,
very oblique; teeth well developed; snout short, 4.00 in head;
mandible strong, its length 2.40 in head; eye large, its diameter
2.65 in head; interorbital width 2.40 in head; spinous dorsal low, its
origin behind origin of anal, midway between base of caudal and the
posterior margin of opercle ; origin of anal fin midway between base
of caudal and middle of eye, its base about ^ longer than head ; scales
with margins smooth or slightly crenate ; posterior portion of lateral
line usually complete on the last 6 to 10 scales, its anterior portion
represented by pores scattered on anterior scales on lower half of body.

Color silvery, dorsal region with dark punctulations ; sides with a
narrow plumbeous band, best developed on posterior half of body;
iris black; soft dorsal slightly dusky /other fins plain.

This species differs from Melaniris balsanus Meek in having a
larger eye, smaller and more oblique mouth. It is also a slightly
larger fish.

This species was found to be very abundant along the shores of
Lake Managua and northern end of Lake Nicaragua. It spawns in

JULY, 1907. FISHES OF GREAT LAKES, NICARAGUA MEEK. 115

March, evidently depositing its eggs, when possible, in shady places in
shallow water. The natives capture these by placing small bushes
along the shore about three feet apart in shallow water. These
fishes come in large numbers into the shade of these bushes to deposit
their eggs. The natives draw their hand nets around the bases of
these bushes, catching from a few to a quart of these fishes at each
dip. The fishes are thrown into holes scooped in the sand. They
are then spread on the sand and left there until dry, after which they
are ready for market. They are also eaten fresh as "white bait," and
are very palatable.

FISHING FOR SARDINAS.

Squier thus describes the fisheries in Lake Managua: "At one
point bushes were planted in the lake, like fish-wiers, between which
women were stationed with scoop-nets, wherewith they ladled out
myriads of little silvery fishes, from the size of a large needle to that
of a shrimp, which they threw into kettle-shaped holes, scooped in
the sand, where, in the evening light, leaping up in their dying throes,
they looked like a shimmering mass of molten silver. These little
fish are called Sardinas by the natives, and are cooked in omelets,
constituting a very excellent dish." " Tr?e first travellers in Nicaragua
mention this novel fishery as then practiced by the Aborigines, and it
has remained unchanged to the present hour."

n6 FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM ZOOLOGY, VOL. VII.

It is interesting to note that the writer has seen Chirostoma jordani
Woolman, captured in the same way along the shore of Lago del
Cuitzeo, Michoacan, Mexico. The dried fishes are packed in sacks
and shipped to many places in Central Mexico.

Momotomba (8), 60 to 70 mm. ; Managua (300), 55 to 70 mm. ; Cis-
playa (i), 60 mm.

Family Ha'mulidse. THE GRUNTERS.

Body oblong, compressed, covered with moderate-sized scales;
lateral line concurrent with the back; head large; premaxillaries
protractile; maxillary without a supplemental bone, and for the most
of its length, slipping under the preorbital; no barbels; teeth in jaws,
none on vomer or palatines; ventral fins thoracic, its rays 1.5. A
large family of shore fishes, perch-like in form, a few entering fresh
water.

Genus Pomaclasis Lacepede. ROBALLO.

Mouth small, terminal low, maxillary scarcely to middle of eye;
teeth small, on jaws only, in villiform bands; preopercle serrate.

Pomadasis grandis sp. nov. ROBALLO.

Type, No. 5939, F. M. N. H.; length, 345 mm.; Lake Nicaragua,
Granada, Nicaragua.

Head 3.14; depth 3.47; D. xni, 12; A. in, 7; scales 8-58-16.
Body elongate, dorsal region not much elevated; profile nearly
straight; mouth moderate, maxillary not quite reaching vertical
from front of orbit, its length 2.96 in head; mandible 2.62; snout
2.70; diameter of eye 4.96; interorbital 4.27; top of head covered
with small ctenoid scales; preopercle serrate, the serrae being larger
just above angle ; teeth in bands, the outer scarcely enlarged ; gill
rakers 6+12; origin of dorsal over base of pectoral, its distance from
tip of snout 2.64 in body; fifth dorsal spine the longest, 2.11 in head;
second anal spine very robust, its length 1.62 in head; tip of second
anal reaching slightly beyond tips of soft rays ; third anal spine much
smaller than the second; pectoral fins short, 1.64 in head; ventral
1.65; caudal peduncle rather slender, its length 2.04 in head; depth
4.27; soft dorsal and soft an^l with a small sheath of scales at their
bases ; scales above lateral line in rows parallel to lateral line ; caudal
fin lunate.

JULY, 1907. FISHES OF GREAT LAKES, NICARAGUA MEEK. 117

Color light olivaceous, each scale with a lighter center, forming
rather indistincts lines along the rows of scales; fins all plain.

This species is apparently not abundant in the lake. I did not
see a single fresh specimen in the markets. The only specimen taken
was caught in my collecting seine. It is known as Roballo, and is
regarded as an excellent food fish.

Family Cichlidse. THE CICHLIDS; "MOJARRAS."

Body compressed, deep or elongate, covered with rather large
ctenoid scales; lateral line interrupted, usually ceasing near end of
dorsal fin, then recommencing farther down on middle of caudal pe-
duncle; mouth terminal; teeth in jaws conical, lobate or incisor-like ;
no teeth on vomer or palatines; nostril single on each side; dorsal
fin single, the spinous portion usually longer than soft portion; anal
fin with three or more spines ; air bladder present ; caudal fin rounded
to slightly forked. The fishes which are known as Mojarras,- and their
allies, inhabiting the lakes and rivers of Nicaragua, belong to this
family.

a. Teeth all conical or cylindrical. Cichlasoma 117
aa. Anterior teeth compressed.

b. Anterior teeth with edges entire. Neetroplus 130
bb. Anterior teeth with edges tricuspid. Herotilipia 130

Genus Cichlasoma Swainson. "MOJARRAS," CICHLIDS.

To this genus belong the Cichlids or Mojarras with conical or cylin-
drical teeth. Those found in Nicaraguan lakes belong to four groups
which may best be regarded as subgenera. In the following key are
given the important features distinguishing these subgenera and the
species.

a. Mouth large, the mandible more than half the length of the

head; two anterior teeth in upper jaw enlarged and. canine-
like; anterior teeth of lower jaw very small, these followed
by two canine-like teeth, the posterior being the larger; fold
of lower lip continuous (Parapetenia) .

b. Preorbital narrow, its depth 8.1 to 9.5 in length of head ; cheeks

with about 6 rows of scales. managuense 119

bb. Preorbital broad, its depth 4.5 to 5.0 in head; cheeks with

about 10 rows of scales. dovii 120

n8 FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM ZOOLOGY, VOL. VII.

aa. Mouth smaller, the mandible less than half the length of the
head ; teeth subequal, anterior occasionally slightly enlarged.

c. Soft dorsal, anal and caudal fin scaly at base, the scales on

interradial membranes; fold of the lower lip continuous.

d. Base of anal fin shorter than the head; anal spines less than 9 ;

lower margin of eye above a line from upper lip to upper edge
of base of pectoral (Erythrichthus) .

e. Lips normal.

f. Dorsal spines low, the last one 3.4 to 3.7 in length of head ; pec-

toral fin short, 1.3 to 1.4 in head. granadense 121

ff. Dorsal spines high, the last one 2.3 to 3.0 in length of head ; pec-
toral fins longer, i.o to 1.2 in head. citrinellum 121
ee. Lips very broad, slightly produced medianly.

g. Snout short, 2.36 in head; depth, 2.14 in body; lips very broad,

not thick; color not red. dorsatum 123

gg. Snout longer, 2.10 in head; depth, 2.36 in body; lips broad and
thick; color red, or nearly so. erythr&um 124

eee. Lips broad and thick, medianly produced into a long triangu-
lar flap.

i. Red or yellowish to nearly black with red blotches, dark indi-
viduals with bars and lateral and caudal spots indefinite or
absent. labiatum 124

ii. Olivaceous with dark bars and prominent lateral and caudal
spots. lobochilus 125

dd. Base of anal fin longer than the head, its spines 9 or more;
lower margin of eye on or below a line from upper lip to upper
edge of base of pectoral (A rchocentrus) . centrarchus 126

cc. Soft dorsal, anal and caudal fins not scaly at their bases; fold

of the lower lip not continuous,
k. Mouth moderate ; snout pointed ; pectoral fin long, reaching to

or beyond last anal spine (Thorichthys) .

1. Interobital narrow, 3.5 to 3.7 in length of the head; depth of

body 2.1 to 2.2 in length; no dark lateral band; caudal fin

profusely spotted or barred. rostratum 126

11. Interorbital broader, 2.8 to 2.9 in head; depth of body 1.9 to

2.0 in length; a dark lateral band from eye to lateral spot;

caudal fin not spotted. longimanus 127

kk. Mouth small ; snout rounded or bluntish ; pectoral fin shorter,

not reaching middle of spinous portion of anal fin (Theraps}.

m. Body deep, 2.1 in head; profile moderately steep; vertical fins

unspotted. nigritum 128

mm. Body elongate, 2.4 to 2.7 in head; profile very steep.

JULY, 1907. FISHES OF GREAT LAKES, NICARAGUA MEEK. 119

n. No dark lateral band; vertical fins profusely spotted.

nicaraguense 129
nn. A dark lateral band ; vertical fins unspotted. balteaum 129

Parapetenia.

Cichlasoma managuense (Gunther). GUAPOTE.

Heros managuensis Gunther, Fishes Cent. Amer., 463, PI. LXXVII,
fig. 3, 1869, Lake Managua; Lake Nicaragua.

Head 2.6 to 2.8; depth 2.5 to 2.7; D. xvm or xix-io to 12; A.
viiorvin-8 or 9; scales 6 or 7-36-11. Body elongate, robust, pro-
file slightly concave in interorbital area, the rest convex; mouth large,
the gape slightly oblique ; end of maxillary reaching slightly past ver-
.tical from anterior margin of orbit, its length 2.1 to 2.5 in head; lower
jaw the longer, mandible 1.6 to 1.8 in head; lips thick, the lower with
free border; teeth in jaws in one series, the anterior two in upper jaw
enlarged; two canine-like in lower jaw on each side; teeth conical;
snout long, pointed, its length 3.2 to 3.5 in head; preorbital narrow,
8.1 to 9.5 in head; postorbital 1.8 to 2.1 in head; cheeks broad, cov-
ered by six rows of scales; eye 4.3 to 5.3 in head; gill rakers 3 to 10;
dorsal and anal fins low, the spines weak; longest dorsal spine 2. 6. to
3.5 in head; longest anal spine 2.6 to 3.3 ; middle rays of soft dorsal
and anal longest, their tips reaching near middle of caudal fin; pec-
torals short, not reaching beyond ventrals, 1.4 to 1.6 in head; ven-
trals to first anal spine, length 1.4 to 1.7 in head; origin of first dorsal
spine to tip of snout 2.5 to 2.6 in head; a line from lower margin of
upper lip to base of last anal ray passes lower margin of orbit and
upper margin of pectoral base, to middle of caudal passes through
lower portion of eye.

Color dark olivaceous, much mottled; no distinct vertical bars;
usually a dark lateral band broken into blotches; a dark band from
eye to upper portion of opercle ; a similar one from eye to base of pec-
toral ; usually three rows of blotches parallel to this one and below it ;
a black spot on base of pectoral ; vertical fins with large black blotches,
sometimes arranged in rows; ventrals dark; pectorals plain. The
coloration of the sexes in this species is the same.

This species is very abundant in Lake Nicaragua. It was also
taken in considerable numbers in the Lagoon Jenicero, north of Lake
Nicaragua. This lagoon at the time of my visit contained only a
small amount of water. The mud in it was so thick that a seine could
not be used. The temperature of the water was 83 F. One would

120 FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM ZOOLOGY, VOL. VII.

hardly suspect that fishes suitable for food could be found in such
muddy, warm water. Yet the Guapote taken from here sold as readily
in the market at Granada as did the best fishes from the Lake. Their
flesh was firm, white and flaky, and of good flavor. The vitality of
these fishes is remarkable. Those in the market are often found to
be living after they have been taken from the water for some time.
I purchased two of these fishes in the market at Granada one morning,
carried them to the hotel, and left them while eating my breakfast and
for some half an hour afterwards. I then put them in water, and in a
short time they were as lively as ever. This species is certainly worthy
of the attention of fish culturists. It grows to a length of about 500
mm. In shape it resembles our black bass. It is, however, a thicker
fish.

Managua (15), 75 to 245 mm.; San Francisco (i), 150 mm.; Jeni-
cero (13), 50 to 225 mm.; Cisplaya (4), 90 to no mm.; Granada (6),
150 to 195 mm.

Cichlasoma dovii Gunther. GUAPOTE.

Heros dovii Gunther, Proc. Zool. Soc., Lond., 1864, 154, Lake
Nicaragua; Gill and Bransford, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila.,

1877,183-

Head 2.5 to 2.6; depth 2.5 to 2.6; D. xvm-i2 or 13; A. vn or
vni-8 or 9; scales 7-35-11. Body elongate, not much compressed;
dorsal region little elevated; profile slightly concave above eyes, the
rest convex; mouth large, the gape oblique; end of maxillary reach-
ing vertical from front of orbit, its length 2.1 to 2.3 in head; lower
jaw the longer, mandible 1.6 to 1.8 in length of head; lips thick, the
lower with free border; teeth in jaws in one series ; anterior 2 of upper
jaw enlarged, two teeth on each side of anterior portion of lower jaw
enlarged; teeth all conical; snout long, pointed, its length 2.4 to 2.6
in head; preorbital broad, 4.5 to 5.0 in head; postorbital 2.2 to 2.3;
gill rakers 3+9 or 10; cheek broad, covered by 10 rows of scales;
premaxillary process to posterior part of orbit 1.5 to 1.7 in head; eye
5.2 to 5.7 in head; dorsal and anal fins low, the spines weak, longest
dorsal spine about 3.7 in head; longest anal spine about 3.9; soft
rays of dorsal reach middle of caudal in largest specimens, in smaller
ones to base of caudal ; pectoral short, its tip not reaching past tip of
ventral, length 1.7 to 1.9 in head; tip of ventrals not reaching first
anal spine, length of ventral 1.7 to 1.9 in head; origin of dorsal to tip
of snout 2.4 to 2.5 in head; a line from margin of upper lip to base of
last anal ray passes just above base of pectoral to middle of caudal,
midway between lower margin of orbit to base of pectoral; male

JULY, 1907. FISHES OF GREAT LAKES, NICARAGUA MEEK. 121

develops the nuchal hump ; least depth of caudal peduncle 2 . 5 in head ;
caudal fin rounded.

Color dark olivaceous ; six or seven dark bands ; lateral band more
or less broken into blotches; body and head of males with numer-
ous small, black spots, those on body forming longitudinal lines along
rows of scales; vertical fins spotted; females without the small, black
spots; a dark band downward and backward from the eye; a dark
spot above base of pectoral and one on its base ; vertical fins unspotted .
The dark caudal spot is more prominent on the females.

This is the largest Cichlid in the lakes of Nicaragua. It grows to
a length of about 50 cm.

Managua (n), 170 to 405 mm.; Granada (4), 145 to 150 mm.

Erythrichthus subgen. nov. (Type, Heros citrinellus Gunther.)

Cichlasoma granadense sp. nov.

Type, No. 5951, F. M. N. H.; length, 155 mm.; Lake Nicaragua,
Granada, Nicaragua.

Head 2.5 to 2.6; depth 2.1 to 2.2; D. xvm, n or 12; A. vn,
7 to 9; scales 7-31-12. Body moderately robust; dorsal region
slightly elevated; profile slightly concave above eyes; nuchal region
but little developed ; mouth small ; maxillary reaching, slightly more
than half-way to front of orbits, its length 3.3 1x^3.5 in head; mandi-
ble 2.7 to 2.8; snout 2.5 to 2.7 in head; preorbital 4.2 to 4.6; post-
orbital 2.5 to 2.6; diameter of eye 3.8 to 4.0; eye to lower margin of
subopercle 2.6 to 2.9; teeth small, pointed, the anterior ones slightly
enlarged ; lips moderately thick, the lower with its edge free ; gill rakers
short, 4+8; cheeks with 4 rows of scales; spinous dorsal very low,
its last spine 3.4 to 3.7 in head; last anal spine 3.0 to 3.2 in head; soft
rays of dorsal and anal not much produced, their tips seldom reaching
middle of caudal; origin of dorsal fin to tip of snout 2.2 to 2.3 in body ;
base of anal 3.7 to 3.9 in body; pectoral fin reaching second or third
anal spine, 1.3 to 1.4 in head; ventral fin 1.2 in head; caudal fin
short, rounded. .

Color very dark, sides with 7 dark bars, no distinct lateral spot;
caudal spot present. This species differs from C. citrinellum in the
smaller mouth, lower dorsal fin, the larger eye, and darker coloration.

Managua (2), 135 to 145 mm.; San Francisco (4), 100 to 150 mm.;
Jenicero (i), 150 mm.; Granada (3), 140 to 150 mm.

Cichlasoma citrinellum Gunther. MOJARRA CONTARA.

Heros citrinellus Gunther, Proc. Zool. Soc., Lond., 1864, 153, Lake

122 FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM ZOOLOGY, VOL. VII.

Nicaragua; Lake Managua: Gill & Bransford, Proc. Acad. Nat.
Sci., Phila., 1877, 182, Lake Nicaragua.

Heros basilaris Gill & Bransford, 1. c. 182, Lake Nicaragua.

Head 2.5 to 2.7; depth 1.8 to 2.3; D. xvi to xvn, n to 13; A. vi
to viu, 7 to 9; scales 8-32-11. Body compressed, profile slightly
concave at interorbital ; dorsal region elevated; mouth moderate, its
gape oblique; end of maxillary not reaching vertical from front of
orbit, its length 2.8 to 3.2 in head; mandible strong, its length 2.3 to
2.6 in head; preorbital broad, 3.5 to 4.8 in head; postorbital 2.2 to
2.4; diameter of eye 3.9 to 4.6; distance from lower margin of orbit
to lower edge of subopercle 2.3 to 2.8; distance from tip of snout to
scales on nape 1.8 to 2.0 in head; gill rakers 3+10; cheeks with five
rows of scales ; lower lip with margin free ; origin of dorsal fin above
base of pectoral, its distance from end of snout 2.2 to 2.4 in body;
dorsal spines increase in length rapidly to fifth spine, then gradually
to last spine; length of last dorsal spine 2.3 to 3.0 in head; last anal
spine 2.2 to 3.0 in head; base of anal fin 3.3 to 3.7 in body; middle
rays of soft dorsal and anal attenuated, in some of the larger specimens
(180 mm.) these filaments reaching nearly to end of caudal fin; pec-
toral fin short, its tip not reaching anal fin in some of the larger indi-
viduals, to fourth anal spine in some smaller ones (100 mm.) ; length
of pectoral i.o to 1.2 in head; ventral with rays produced, length i
to 1.2 in head; tips of ventrals reaching third to fifth anal spine;
caudal peduncle deeper than long, its depth 2.5 to 2.8 in head, its
length 3.1 to 3.8 in head; caudal fin rounded, its middle rays slightly
emarginate.

Color variable, typical color dark olivaceous; sides with 7 dark
bars ; usually a dark spot on 4th bar just below the lateral band ; on
larger individuals (180 mm.) scarcely a trace of this spot, on smaller
individuals (90 mm.) a spot on each bar, giving the appearance of an
interrupted lateral band ; a black caudal spot above lateral line ; ver-
tical fins plain or with a few faint dark spots.

This species is very abundant in Lake Tiscapa, Nicaragua. The
above description is based on a number of individuals ranging from
100 to 187 mm. This species is also very abundant in Lake Managua
and Lake Nicaragua. It is the only Cichlid inhabiting Lake Tiscapa,
so far as known.

Of all the species fishes in these lakes, this one is by far the most
variable. I made many repeated efforts to divide this material listed
below in from two to a half-dozen or more species, but in all cases I
was unable to find any tangible constant characters to define them. To

JULY, 1907. FISHES OF GREAT LAKES, NICARAGUA MEEK. 123

regard them as more than one species meant only to limit the number
by the material at hand, and so I have lumped them all in one.

The fact that no red forms were found in Lake Tiscapa and Lagoon
Jenicero led me to believe that there was possibly one form or species
in which rubrism did not occur, but I found myself unable to dis-
cover any constant character or characters to separate it from the
others, except on color alone. As to form, some individuals are very
deep, others quite elongate. On some with normal color there are
well denned lateral bars but no trace of a lateral spot, on other speci-
mens of same size or larger, the lateral blotch is well defined. On
some of the more elongate forms (of about 140 mm.) from Lake
Nicaragua the nuchal hump is well developed, while on many of the
larger individuals it is quite absent. There were no markings or pecu-
liarities that I was able. to correlate with sex or size. It is possible that
more than one species should be recognized here, and no doubt such
will some day be the case, especially if some enthusiastic student of
fishes has at his command a far less amount of material than I have
had the opportunity to examine.

Dark forms: Momotomba (9), 65 to 195 mm.; Managua (77),
90 to 280 mm.; Tiscapa (21), no to 180 mm.; San Francisco (15),
65 to 155 mm. ; Jenicero (n), 50 to 150 mm.; Granada (61), 130 to 250
mm.; Cisplaya (5), 40 to 120 mm.

Red forms: Momotomba (i), 265; Managua (17), 160 to 260 mm.;
Granada (29), 130 to 260.

Cichlasoma dorsatum sp. nov.

Type, No. 5971, F. M. N. H.; length, 179 mm.; Lake Managua,
Managua, Nicaragua.

Head 2.4 to 2.5; depth 2.1 to 2.2; D. xvn, n; A. vn, 8; scales
7-32-11. Body deep, dorsal region elevated, profile slightly concave;
nuchal region slightly gibbous; jaws subequal; lips very broad, the
lower with free margin; anterior teeth enlarged, those of upper jaw
the larger; snout moderately pointed, 2.4 to 2.7 in head; preorbital
4:3 to 4.5; postorbital 2.4 to 2.5; diameter of eye 3.6 to 4.11; eye to
margin of subopercle 2.7 to 3.1; mouth moderate, slightly oblique;
maxillary nearly reaching vertical from anterior of eye, its length 2.7
to 2.9 in head; mandible 2.3 to 2.4; interorbital 2.9 to 3.1; snout to
scales on nape 1.9 to 2.0; cheeks with four rows of scales; dorsal fin
rather low, its last spine 2.3 to 2.6 in head; middle rays of dorsal fin
reaching to middle of caudal fin, those of anal shorter; origin of dorsal
to tip of snout 2.1 to 2.2 in body; base of anal fin 3.7 to 3.8 in body,
its last spine 2.4 to 2.7 in head; ventral fins reaching third anal spine,

124 FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM ZOOLOGY, VOL. VII.

1.2 to 1.4 in head; pectoral fin long, its tip reaching soft rays of anal,
i.i to 1.2 in head; length of caudal peduncle 3.4 to 4.0 in head, its
depth 2.6 to 2.7 ; soft dorsal, anal and caudal with scales extending on
basal third.

Color dark olivaceous; sides with seven black cross bands, the
fourth darkest, but without definite black lateral blotch ; a black spot
on upper half of base of caudal; fins unspotted.

The lips of this species are quite similar to those of the following
species. The fish, however, is deeper, and with dorsal region more
elevated. It also has a shorter snout.

Managua (3), 115, 179; Granada (i), 200 mm.; Jenicero (i), 95 mm.

Cichlasoma erythraeum (Gunther).

Heros erythrceus Gunther, Fishes Cent. Amer., 457, PI. LXXV, fig.
2, 1869, Lake Managua.

Head 2.56; depth 2.36; D. xvii-n; A. vn, 9; scales, 7-32-11.
Body rather elongate, dorsal region not much elevated ; profile slightly
concave in supraorbital region; nuchal region slightly gibbous; jaws
subequal; lips thick, the lower with free margin; center of each lip
1 with a slight prominence ; anterior teeth of upper jaw enlarged, rather
wide set ; anterior teeth of lower jaw similar but smaller ; snout rather
pointed, its length 2.10 in head; preorbital 4.03 in head; postorbital
2.63 in head; diameter of eye 4.96; eye to margin of subopercle, 2.58;
mouth moderate, slightly oblique; maxillary not reaching vertical
from anterior margin of orbit, its length 2.74 in head; mandible 2.45 ;
interorbital 2.91; snout to scales on nape 1.80; cheeks with four rows
of scales; dorsal fin rather low, its last spine 2.68 in head; middle
rays of dorsal fin produced, their tips reaching past middle of caudal
fin ; those of anal fin to first third of caudal ; origin of dorsal to tip of
snout 2.25 in body; base of anal fin 3.66 in body, its last spine 2.85
in head; ventrals reaching third anal spine, 1.24 in head; length of
caudal peduncle, 3.60 in head, its depth 2.82.

Color red with a yellowish tinge; some scales on the body dark;
tips of soft dorsal rays black; all other fins red.

. The lips of this individual have each a slight triangular protuber-
ance, suggesting the triangular flap of C. lobochilus and C. labiatum.
One individual taken in Lake Managua, near Granada, length 224 mm.

Cichlasoma labiatum (Qunther).

Heros labiatus Gunther, Proc. Zool. Soc., Lond., 1864, 27, PL iv,
fig. i, Lake Nicaragua: Gill & Bransford, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci.,
Phila., 1877, 182.

JULY, 1907. FISHES OF GREAT LAKES, NICARAGUA MEEK. 125

Head 2.4; depth 2.3 to 2.5; D. xvi to xvn 10 to 12; A. vn, 8;
scales 7-32-11. Body elongate, in general form like the preceding;
maxillary 2.8 to 2.9 in head; snout 2.2 to 2.4; mandible 2.2 to 2.4;
interorbital 3.6 to 3.9; preorbital 4.3 to 4.6; postorbital 2.4 to 2.7;
diameter of eye 4.4 to 4.6; eye to subopercle 2.8 to 3.0; lips and denti-
tion as in the preceding species; last dorsal spine 2.7 to 3.0 in head;
last anal spine 2.5 to 2.8; pectoral 1.3 to 1.4; ventral 1.3 to 1.5;
length of caudal peduncle 3.8 to 4.2, its depth 2.8 to 3.1 ; origin of dor-
sal to snout 2.1 to 2.3 in body; base of anal 3.8 to 4.0; snout to scales
on nape 1.8 to 1.9 in head; scales on cheeks usually in 3 rows, seldom
in 4 rows ; gill rakers 4 + 10 or 1 1 .

Color red to nearly black ; some individuals with only tips of caudal
and dorsal fins with black; others with small patches of red on ventral
region; darkest individuals with traces of black bars and spots on
side, suggesting markings of the following species, with which this
species may prove to be identical. The specimens seen and collected
by me average smaller than those of following species, but the grada-
tion in color and general appearance of the material examined by me
is not sufficient to justify the uniting of these two species.

Granada (8), 125 to 195 mm.

Cichlasoma lobochilus (Gimther).

Heros lobochilus Giinther, Fishes Cent. Amer., 457, PI. LXXV, fig. i,
1869, Lake Managua.

Head 2.4; depth 2.3 to 2.4; D. xvi or xvn, 10 to 12; A. vn,
7 or 8; scales 832-11. Body elongate, dorsal region moderately
elevated, declining gradually to the tail; profile straight to nape; the
nape gibbous or not; head narrow, rather pointed; mouth oblique,
the maxillary not reaching vertical from anterior margin of orbit, its
length 2.6 to 2.8 in head; snout 2.2 to 2.4; mandible 2.2 to 2.4; pre-
orbital 3.9 to 4.4, being deeper in the larger individuals ; postorbital
2.6 to 2.8; diameter of eye 4.6 to 5.1 ; distance from eye to margin of
subopercle 2.5 to 3.1 ; interorbital 3.1 to 3.8; tip of snout to scales of
nape 1.7 to 1.9; lips thick, each with a long triangular flap; anterior
teeth in each jaw somewhat enlarged and wide set; scales on cheek in
four rows; dorsal spines increasing rapidly to 4" spines, then gradually
to last spine; last dorsal spine 2.7 to 3.4 in head, the spines being
shorter in the larger individuals; the last anal spine 2.8 to 3.4; the
base of anal fin 4 to 4.1 in head; middle rays of soft dorsal and anal
produced, their tips reaching nearly to or past middle of caudal;
pectoral fins reaching from 2" to 4" anal spine, length 1.4 to 1.5 in
head; ventrals reaching 2" to 5" anal spine, length 1.4 to 1.6; a line

126 FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM ZOOLOGY, VOL. VII.

drawn from 1 meeting of jaws to base of last anal ray passes across
upper third of base of pectoral; to middle of base of caudal passing
nearly midway between eye and base of pectoral.

Color light olivaceous, sides with 7 dark bars; a black blotch on
fourth bar under lateral line; a black spot on upper half of base of
caudal; soft dorsal, anal and caudal fins, usually with small, dark
spots; ventral dusky; middle of each scale lighter than the rest,
giving more or less distinct lines along the rows of scales. The lateral
and caudal spots as distinct on large as on small individuals.

Managua (19), 130 to 240 mm.; Granada (4), 125 to 135 mm.

Archocentrus.

Cichlasoma centrarchus (Gill & Bransford).

Heros centrarchus Gill & Bransford, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila.,
1877, 185, Lake Nicaragua.

Head 2.6 to 2.8; depth 1.9 to 2.1; D. xv or xvi, 8 or 9; A. ix
or x, 7 to 9; scales 6-2811. Body deep, compressed; profile nearly
evenly convex; mouth small, little oblique; fold of the lower lip
continuous; snout 3.0 to 3.5 in head; maxillary 3.2 to 3.6; mandible
2.4 to 2.6; preorbital 6.0 to 7.0; postorbital 2.1 to 2.3; interorbital
2.4 to 2.5; diameter of eye 3.4 to 3/6; eye to subopercle 2.8 to 3.2;
gill rakers 8+17; dorsal spines rather light, last dorsal spine 2.0
to 2.3 in head; last anal spine 2.0 to 2.2; origin of dorsal fin to snout
2.1 to 2.4 in body; base of anal 2.3 to 2.6; caudal peduncle short,
its length 3.6 to 4.4 in head, its depth 2.1 to 2.3 ; soft dorsal and anal
scaly at base on interradial membranes; caudal fin rounded, its
middle rays slightly emarginate.

Color olivaceous; sides with 7 dark vertical bars; a dark caudal
spot; opercle with one or two black blotches; pectorals light; other
fins dark or dusky, without spots.

Very abundant in sluggish water. Largest specimen taken 1 50 mm.

Momotomba (3), 90 to 100 mm.; San Francisco (i), 95 mm.;
Jenicero (66), 27 to 150 mm.; Cisplaya (18), 45 to 120 mm.

Thorichthys.

Cichlasoma rostratum (Gill & Bransford).

Heros rostratus Gill & Bransford, Proc.' Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila.,
1877, 181, Lake Nicaragua.

JULY, 1907. FISHES OF GREAT LAKES, NICARAGUA MEEK. 127

Head 2.3 to 2.4; depth 2.1 to 2.2; D. xvi or xvn, 10 or n;
A. vn, 7 or 18; scales 7-32-11. Body deep, compressed, profile
nearly straight; snout long, pointed, 2.1 to 2.2 in head; mouth,
nearly horizontal; maxillary not reaching vertical from eye, its length

3.2 to 3.4 in head; mandible 2.4 to 2.6; preorbital 3.7 to 4.0; post-
orbital 2.7 to 2.9; diameter of eye 3.5 to 3.7; interorbital 3.5 to 3.7;
snout to scales on nape 1.6 to 1.7; lower lip with a frenum; eye to
lower margin of subopercle 2.7 to 2.9; dorsal fin high, its last spine

2.3 to 2.7 in head; last anal spine 2.3 to 2.8; gill rakers 5+15; origin
of dorsal fin to tip of snout 2.0 to 2.2 in body; base of anal 3.8 to 3.9 ;
pectoral fin very long, reaching middle of soft portion of anal, its
length i. o to 1.2 in head; ventral reaching third or fourth anal spine,

1.3 to 1.4 in head; scales on cheeks in 5 or 6 rows; length of caudal
peduncle -3.4 to 3.6 in head, its depth 2.8 to 3.0; caudal fin slightly
forked; nuchal hump developed on larger specimens (160 mm.).

Color light olivaceous, sides with six indistinct dark vertical bars;
no dark band on the side; a dark lateral and a dark caudal spot;
soft dorsal and anal with light spots; caudal profusely spotted or
barred; upper and the lower jaws very dark or black. This species
may possibly prove to be the males of the following:

Managua (3), 135 to i6omm. ; San Francisco (8), no to 145 mm.;
Granada (18), 155 to 170; Jenicero (6), 100 to 170 mm.; Cisplaya (6),
160 to 170.

Cichlasoma longimanus (Gunther).

Heros longimanus Giinther, Fishes Cent. Amer., 453, PL LXXII,
fig. 2, 1869, Lake Nicaragua: Gill & Bransford, Proc. Acad.
Nat. Sci., Phila., 1877, 182, Lake Nicaragua.

Head 2.4 to 2.5; depth 1.9 to 2.0; D. xvi or xvn, 9 or 10; A.
vii 7 or 8; scales 6-30-11. In form and general appearance this
species resembles the preceding; snout 2.2 to 2.5 in head; maxillary
3.1 to 3.2; mandible 2.4 to 2.6; preorbital 3.5 to 3.8; postorbital

2.4 to 2.5; diameter of eye 3.1 to 3.8; eye to subopercle 2.4 to 2.6;
interorbital 2.8 to 2.9; snout to scales on nape 1.8 to 1.9; last dorsal
spine 2.2 to 2.6; last anal spine 2.1 to 2.5; pectoral i.o; ventral i.o
to 1.2 ; length of caudal peduncle 2.9 to 3.2 ; depth of caudal peduncle
2.4 to 2.5; origin of dorsal to tip of snout 2.1 to 2.2 in body; base
of anal fin 3.2 to 3.4; lower lip with a frenum; caudal fin slightly
forked; no nuchal hump on largest specimens (155 mm.).

Color dark olivaceous ; sides with six or 7 indistinct vertical bars ;
a dark band from eye to lateral spot ; no distinct caudal spot ; posterior

128 FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM ZOOLOGY, VOL. VII.

portions of dorsal and anal fins with light spots; caudal fin plain or
with very few light spots.

The individuals of this species in the collection range in length
from 45 mm. to 165 mm. An examination of 6 of the larger ones to
determine sex showed these to be females. I was unable to determine
positively the sex of the younger individuals. I also examined a
number of individuals of the preceding species, all of which proved
to be males. It is quite probable that C. rostratum and C. longima-
nus are the same species, the former being males, the latter females.
The material that I have examined is insufficient to positively de- (
termine this point, and so I have preferred to recognize the two
species rather than substitute one doubt for another by combining
them.

Momotomba (i), 100 mm.; Managua (5), 100 to 125 mm.; San
Francisco (9), 90 to 125 mm.; Jenicero (55), 45 to 155 mm.; Cis-
playa (12), 100 to 165 mm.

Theraps.

Cichlasoma nigritum sp. nov.

Type, No. 5979, F. M. N. H.; length, 142 mm.; Lake Nicaragua,
Granada, Nicaragua.

Head 2.95; depth 2.09; D. xvn, 12; A. vn, 9; scales 8-32-12.
Body deep, compressed, dorsal region elevated, profile steep, evenly
convex, with slight interorbital depression ; mouth small with conical
teeth, the anterior ones slightly the larger; maxillary not reaching
vertical from front of orbit, its length 3.62 in head; snout 2.41;
mandible 2.89; preorbital 4.01; postorbital 2.58; diameter of eye
3.35; distance of eye to lower margin of subopercle 2.58; interorbital
2.68 ; tip of snout to scales of nape 2.76 ; lower lip with a broad frenum ;
scales on cheek in five rows; origin of dorsal fin over base of pectoral,
its distance from tip of snout 2.27 in body; dorsal spines increase
rapidly to fifth, then gradually to last one; last dorsal spine 1.90 in
head; last anal spine 1.72; base of anal fin 3.68 in body; middle rays
of dorsal and anal fins reaching past middle of caudal; pectoral short,
1.2 in head, its tips not reaching first anal spine; ventrals 1.05 in
head, their tips reaching third anal spine; caudal fin rounded, its
middle slightly marginate.

Color dark olivaceous, plain; middle of scales darkest, forming
faint lateral stripes ; no lateral or caudal blotch ; no dark lateral band ;
soft dorsal with few dark spots; all of the fins except pectorals dark.

One specimen 142 mm. in length.

JULY, 1907. FISHES OF GREAT LAKES, NICARAGUA MEEK. 129

This species resembles the two preceding species. It has, however,
a much less gibbous profile, a deeper body, and different coloration.

Cichlasoma nicaraguense (Giinther).

Heros nicaraguensis Gunther, Proc. Zool. Soc., Lond., 1864, 153,
Lake Nicaragua: Gill & Bransford, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci.,
Phila., 1787, 184, Lake Nicaragua.

Head 2.8 to 3.0; depth 2.4 to 2.5; D. xvm or xix, 10 or n;
A. vin or ix, 7 or 8; scales 7-33-12. Body elongate, compressed;
profile very steep, in individuals with nuchal hump developed; profile
nearly vertical; mouth small, nearly horizontal; snout 2.5 to 2.7;
maxillary 3.0 to 3.6; mandible 2.6 to 2.7; preorbital 3.1 to 4.0;
postorbital 2.4 to 2.6; interorbital 2.1 to 3.0; diameter of eye 3.0
to 3.07; eye to subopercle 2.0 to 2.6; last dorsal spine 2.0 to 2.2;
last anal spine 1.9 to 2.1 ; soft dorsal and anal rays reaching nearly
to middle of caudal; pectorals short, not reaching first anal spine,
i.i to 1.2 in head; ventrals 0.9 to i.o in head, reaching from first to
fourth anal spine; original of dorsal to tip of snout 2.4 to 2.5 in body;
base of anal 3.4 to 3.5; length of caudal peduncle 2.1 to 2.4 in head,
its depth 2.3 to 2.5; caudal fin slightly forked.

Color olivaceous, sides with six or seven faint vertical bars, most
conspicuous in the young (95 mm.); no distinct longitudinal band;
a prominent dark lateral spot; no caudal spot. In the larger in-
dividuals (190 mm.) the bars and lateral blotch inconspicuous;
vertical fins with many dark spots. The nuchal hump is very prom-
inent on the larger individuals I have examined, all of which are males.

Momotomba (5), 100 to 120 mm.; Managua (n), 80 to 135 mm.;
Granada (13), 155 to 205 mm.

Cichlasoma balteatum (Gill & Bransford).

Heros balteatus Gill & Bransford, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila.,
1877, 184, Lake Nicaragua.

Head 3.0 to 3.1; depth 2.5 to 2.7; D. xix, 10; A. vin, 7 or 8;
scales 7-32-12. In general form this species somewhat resembles the
preceding; snout 2.4 to 2.5 in head; maxillary 3.2 to 3.4; mandible
2.6 to 2.8; preorbital 3.3 to 3.9; postorbital 2.5 to 2.6; interorbital
2.4 to 2.6; diameter of eye 3.1 to 3.3; eye to subopercle 2.3 to 2.6;
longest dorsal spine 2.1 to 2.2; longest anal spine 1.9 to 2.0; length
of caudal peduncle 2.4 to 2.6; depth of caudal peduncle 2.4 to 2.6;
pectoral i.i to 1.2; ventral i.o to 1.2; origin of dorsal to snout 2.4 to
2.5; base of anal, 3.4 to 3.5.

130 FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM ZOOLOGY, VOL. VII.

Color light olivaceous, a dark band from eye to base of caudal
ending in a black caudal spot. The few dark blotches at base of
dorsal indicate the possible presence of vertical bars in the young;
vertical fins unspotted.

Three specimens, all males, from Lake Nicaragua near Granada.
Length 154, 155 and 160 mm. respectively. One 97 mm. from Lake
Managua at Momotomba. So far as I can determine, all specimens
listed under the preceding species are females. It is very probable
that these two species should be united, C. nicaraguense being based
on females, C. balteatum on the males of the same species. The
material examined by me is only sufficient to suggest this change, but
hardly sufficient to warrant my making it.

Managua (6), 90 to 115 mm.; Granada (3), 155 to 165 mm.

Genus Neetroplus Giinther.
Anterior teeth in each jaw truncate, incisor-like.

Neetroplus nematopsis (Giinther).

Neetroplus nicaraguensis Gill & Bransford, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci.,
Phila., 1877, Nicaragua.

Head 3.0 to 3.3; depth 2.3 to 2.4; D. xvin or xix, 9 or 10;
A. vi or vii, 7 or 8; scales 7-3311. Body elongate, compressed;
profile steep; mouth small, nearly horizontal, the snout prominent,
overhanging the lower jaw; lower lip with a frenum; snout 2.1 in
head; maxillary 2.7 to 3.7; mandible 2.6 to 3.0; preorbital 3.3 to
3.7; postorbital 2.5 to 3.0; interorbital 2.1 to 2.4; diameter of eye
2.7 to 3.2; eye to subopercle 2.0 to 2.3; last dorsal spine 1.9 to 2.1;
last anal spine 1.7 to 1.9; origin of dorsal to tip of snout 2.4 to 2.9
in body; base of anal 3.8 to 4.1 ; pectoral fin short, i.i to 1.3 in head;
ventrals 8 or 9; gill rakers 2 +8; caudal peduncle long, its length 2.4
to 2.5 in head, its depth 2.1 to 2.3; caudal fin subtruncate.

Color dark olivaceous ; a dark bar downward and backward from
base of gth and loth dorsal spines; fins all plain.

Momotomba (i), 97 mm.; Managua (33), 45 to 135 mm.

Genus Herotilpia Pellegrin.

Anterior teeth in each jaw incisor-like, tricuspid; occasionally
a few of the anterior teeth of outer series truncate or slightly trilobed.

JULY, 1907. FISHES OF GREAT LAKES, NICARAGUA MEEK. 131

Herotilpia multispinosa (Gunther). PICACULA.

Heros multisfnnosus Gunther, Fishes of Cent. Amer., 453, pi.
LXXIV, fig. 2, 1869, Lake Managua.

Head 2.7 to 2.9; depth 1.9 to 2.0; D. xix, 8; A. xi or xn, 7;
scales 6-29-11. Body deep robust; profile evenly convex; mouth
small, little oblique; snout 2.7 to 3.0 in head; maxillary 3.5 to 4.2;
mandible 2.7 to 3.0; preorbital 4.9 to 5.3; postorbital 2.1 to 2.3;
interorbital 2.0 to 2.3; diameter of eye 3.0 to 3.3; eye to subopercle
2.9 to 3.0; dorsal fin rather low, last spine 2.5 to 2.7 in head; longest
anal spine 2.1 to 2.7; pectoral fins short, i.i to 1.2 in head; ventral
fins 0.9 to i.i ; origin of dorsal to tip of snout 2.2 to 2.3 in body; base
of anal 2.4 to 2.5; caudal peduncle short, its length 4.0 to 5.7 in head,
its depth 1.8 to 2.1; caudal fin rounded.

Color olivaceous; sides with 7 broad dark bands; a dark band
from eye to lateral spot; a dark caudal spot; fins dark, unspotted.

Momotomba (i), 75 mm.; Granada (i), 65 mm.; Jenicero (38),
45 to no mm.; Cisplaya (n), 60 to 115 mm.

Family Gobiidse.

Genus Philypims Cuv. & Val.

Body elongate, terete anteriorly, compressed posteriorly; head
elongate, depressed; mouth large, the lower jaw the longer; teeth
in jaws small, slender, recurved, the outer scarcely enlarged; teeth
on vomer villiform, in a broad crescent-shaped patch; gill openings
extending forward to below posterior angle of mouth, the isthmus
very narrow; scales ctenoid, covering most of the head; ventrals
separate, the rays 1.5.

Philypnus dormitor Lacepede. GUAVINA.

Eleotris longiceps Gunther, Proc. Zool. Soc., Lond., 1864, 151,
Lake Nicaragua: Gunther, Fishes Cent. Amer., 440, 1868,
Lake Nicaragua.
Philypnus longiceps Gill & Bransford, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila.,

1877, 181, Lake Nicaragua.

Head 2.7 to 3.0; depth 5.2 to 5.7; D. vi or vn, 1.9 or i.io; A.
1.9 or i.io; scales 52 to 63. Body elongate; lower jaw the longer;
maxillary 1.8 to 2.4 in head; interorbital 4.5 to 4.9; diameter of
eye 5.3 to 6.1.

Color dark olivaceous, much mottled with darker; young with a
dark irregular band on sides, this band much broken and quite obsolete

132 FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM ZOOLOGY, VOL. VII.

in large individuals. The young (55 mm.) from the Nicaragua lakes
have a less developed lateral band than specimens of same size from
Tehuan tepee and San Francisco in southern Mexico. The Nicaragua
specimens are also darker. This species grows to a length of about
50 cm. and is regarded as a very good food fish. It is not very common
in the markets.

Momotomba (5), 55 to 195 mm.; Granada (5), 150 to 235 mm.
Managua (14), 118 to 228 mm.

*

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