Movement of Cichla species (Cichlidae) in a Venezuelan floodplain river

Abstract

In their native habitats of black- and clear-water Neotropical rivers, large predatory cichlids of the genus Cichla are an important food and recreational resource. Understanding patterns of movement for these species is necessary for effective management and conservation; however, no information is available on movement in natural fluvial populations. Therefore, we initiated a cooperative mark-recapture program with local sport-fishing groups to evaluate movement of Cichla in the Cinaruco River, Venezuela and to promote conservation awareness. Between January 1999 and May 2003, we tagged 2,224 individuals of three species of Cichla (C. temensis, C. orinocensis, and C. intermedia) with uniquely numbered floy tags. Over 52 months, 2.8% of the tagged fishes were recaptured. Most recaptures occurred within 1 km of the tagging location; however, a few large C. temensis moved up to 21 km, demonstrating the potential for longer distance movement in this species. The distance between tagging and recapture locations was not significantly correlated with the time interval between tagging and recapture. Distance moved was significantly related to fish size and period of the annual hydrological cycle. Implications for management and conservation of these species and future research directions are discussed.<br>Grandes ciclídeos do gênero Cichla são importantes como recurso alimentar e recreacional em seus habitats nativos de águas pretas e claras de rios neotropicais. O entendimento do padrão de movimentação dessas espécies torna-se necessário para o seu efetivo gerenciamento e conservação. Entretanto, não existe informação disponível em relação ao movimento de populações em ambientes fluviais naturais. Assim, iniciou-se um programa cooperativo de marcação e recaptura para avaliar a movimentação de Cichla no río Cinaruco, Venezuela. Entre janeiro de 1999 e maio de 2003, um total de 2224 indivíduos de três espécies de Cichla (C. temensis, C. orinocensis e C. intermedia) foram marcados, utilizando-se marcadores "floy", cada um contendo numeração própria. Durante 52 meses foram recapturados 2,8% dos peixes marcados, a maioria ocorrendo em distâncias inferiores a 1 km do ponto de marcação. Somente alguns C. temensis de maior tamanho, deslocaram-se a distâncias superiores a 21 km, demonstrando o potencial da espécie para movimentos a longa distância. Não houve correlação significativa entre a distância dos locais de marcação e recaptura e o intervalo de tempo existente entre os dois eventos. A distância foi significativamente relacionada com o tamanho do peixe e o período do ciclo hidrológico. Implicações para o manejo e conservação destas espécies são discutidas, além de sugerir direcionamentos para investigações futuras

Feeding dynamics of Cichla kelberi Kullander & Ferreira, 2006 introduced into an artificial lake in southeastern Brazil

“…The genus Cichla is considered common in South American rivers and lakes with clear and dark water (Hoeinghaus et al, 2003) in Amazon basin, and is never found in turbid waters (Winemiller, 2001). In the Volta Grande Reservoir, Gomiero & Braga (2003a) observed higher capture rates for Cichla species between 9:00am and 3:00pm in seasons with higher temperatures (spring and summer) and on brighter days.…”

“…Their popularity has been the intentional introduction of Cichla species in diverse tropical and sub-tropical freshwater regions in the world, at times leading to the decrease of populations of native fish species (Winemiller, 2001). Peacock bass were introduced into regions such as Florida, Hawaii, Panama, Puerto Rico, and in Brazil, in the southeast (Hoeinghaus et al, 2003), midwest (Resende et al, 2008), northeast (Fontenele & Peixoto, 1979), and south (Kullander & Ferreira, 2006). Natural to the Araguaia and Tocantins River basins, C. kelberi was before identified as C. monoculus (Kullander & Ferreira, 2006), being found in many reservoirs in southeastern Brazil.…”

Patterns of habitat segregation among large fishes in a Venezuelan floodplain river

“…In recent years, illegal commercial netting has increased in the río Cinaruco (Hoeinghaus et al, 2003b). Netters target large-bodied taxa, including the two most common species in gill net sampling, H. armatus and S. kneri.…”

Feeding and reproductive ecology of Cichla piquiti Kullander & Ferreira, 2006 within its native range, Lajeado reservoir, rio Tocantins basin

“…This is the case of peacock-bass species (Cichla), which have successfully colonized many Neotropical reservoirs. These fishes are native to the Amazon basin, and, under natural conditions, are found in littoral habitats of rivers and lakes where they feed upon small-sized fish (Jepsen et al, 1997;Winemiller, 2001;Hoeinghaus et al, 2003). In reservoirs, Cichla finds suitable habitats for feeding and breeding, considering that prey fish are abundant (Pelicice et al, 2005;Luz-Agostinho et al, 2006) and shallow areas provide shelter and nesting sites.…”