Teleocichla wajapi Varella & Moreira, 2013

Family:  Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Cichlinae
Max. size:  8.78 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  South America: Brazil in rio Jari and two of its tributaries, rio Iratapuru and rio Pacanari.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 20-22; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 4-4; Anal soft rays: 6-8. Distinguished from other species of Teleocichla, except T. centrarchus, by having four instead of three spines on anal fin. Diagnosed from Teleocichla centrarchus by having 56-62 scales in E1 series (vs. 64-69), smaller orbital diameter 24.6-30.2%, mean 28.2% of head length (vs. 30.8-34.8%, mean 33.5% of head length) and by having barred or zigzag color pattern on flanks (vs. longitudinal series of patches formed by small, dark irregular markings on midlateral area of flanks and on dorsum.). Can be separated from T. cinderella, by the absence (vs. presence) of small, dark irregular markings scattered on flanks; from T. centisquama, and T. monogramma, by having the anterior and posterior branches of the lateral line separated by one scale-row instead of a continuous lateral line; and from T. gephyrogramma by having 56-62 scales in E1 series (vs. 64-75) (Ref. 93336).
Biology:  Inhabits shallow rapids with clear water and rocky riverbed composed of an array of material, from pebbles to boulders or slabs. Observed to remain mostly stationary in areas where the water velocity was slower, apparently protected between slabs of rock or close to the river bank (Ref. 93336).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 18 May 2022 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.