blackthroat cichlid
Astatheros macracanthus
Cichlid from the Pacific slope, from southern Mexico to El Salvador, reaching 25 cm and used in aquariums.
Also called: ciclídeo-garganta-negra, mojarra de Guamuchal, blackthroat cichlid
- maximum
- 25 cm
who is the blackthroat cichlid
Cichlid of the family Cichlidae reaching 25 cm. It occurs on the Pacific slope, from southern Mexico to El Salvador, passing through Guatemala. It lives in freshwater, near the bottom and in the water column, and is an omnivore that feeds on the bottom. It lives in water at 26 to 30 °C, with pH from 7.5. The common name refers to the dark throat. It breeds from April to August. It is caught commercially and also appears in the aquarium trade.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the blackthroat cichlid; in the meantime, see the similar species.
identification
Medium-sized cichlid, up to 25 cm, from the Pacific slope, from southern Mexico to El Salvador. The dark throat gives the species its name. On the same slope, Amphilophus istlanus reaches 30 cm, and Vieja guttulata, in Guatemala, also reaches 30 cm; the dark throat and the smaller size help tell it apart.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
Pacific slope, from southern Mexico to El Salvador, also occurring in Guatemala, in freshwater.
Habitat: Freshwater, near the bottom and in the water column, on the Pacific slope.
rules for the blackthroat cichlid
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
It poses no danger to anglers, but the fin spines can prick the hand. Hold it by the body, with a wet hand, and release it quickly.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.02344, b = 3.14; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Astatheros macracanthus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Astatheros macracanthusNames by country and language.
