We
receved very interesting and very pretty flagcichlids (Mesonauta) from
the Rio Tocantins in Brazil. A very special feature of these fishes is
the fact that the basic pattern is extremely variable. Usually this dark
basic pattern, which is shown by the fish mainly when they are stressed
or excited, is species-specific. However, in this case almost all our
specimens would belong to different species. This is not likely at all.
An
examination of the scientifically described species of Mesonauta makes t
very likely that our new importations belong to the species Mesonauta
acora. This species is known for the variable basic colours, and also
the stated distribution fits: M. acora has been described from the Rio
Araguaia, which is a large affluent to the Rio Tocantins, the homeland
of our imports.
According
to the revision of Mesonauta by Kullander and Silfvergrip, M. acora
possesses as an unique feature 2-4 scales (most often 3) on the
preoperculum. This is not visible by the bare eye in a living specimen,
but one can see this on a photo.
So
far we have not been able to import Mesonauta acora before, at least we
were not sure about the determination. All in all, M. acora is said to
represent the rarest species of flag cichlid in the hobby.
For our customers: the animals have code 683404 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Literature:
Kullander,
S. O. & A. M. C. Silfvergrip (1991): Review of the South American
cichlid genus Mesonauta Günther (Teleostei, Cichlidae) with descriptions
of two new species. Revue Suisse de Zoologie v. 98 (no. 2): 407-448.
