We report the presence of the Amatitlan cichlid, Vieja guttulata, in the inland waters of Puerto Rico. Two adults and three juveniles were collected in the municipality of Canóvanas and deposited in the Zoology Museum collection at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. Native to Central America, this species is distinguished by its striking colors and characteristic lateral black band, which give it a unique appearance. With this finding, we confirm the existence of an established population of the Amatitlan cichlid in northeastern Puerto Rico, increasing the number of documented exotic freshwater fish species on the island to 39. The aquarium trade is likely the source of this introduction. It is important to evaluate the distribution range of V. guttulata, assess its ecological impact on native fish assemblages, and implement a comprehensive management strategy to mitigate its proliferation and prevent a further expansion across Puerto Rico's freshwater ecosystems.
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21 January 2025
First Record of Vieja guttulata (Günther, 1864) (Teleostei: Cichlidae) in the Freshwater Ichthyofauna of Puerto Rico
Ruber Rodríguez-Barreras,
Steven Alexander Sloan
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Caribbean Journal of Science
Vol. 55 • No. 1
March 2025
Vol. 55 • No. 1
March 2025