APRIL, 1908. LAKES AMATITLAN AND ATITLAN MEEK. 189 



Family Cichlidse. MOJARRAS. 



Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum Giinther. SERICA. 



Next to the Pescadito, the Serica is most abundant in the 

 lakes. It is a small Mojarra never growing longer than 100 mm. 

 As a food fish it is considered of little value by the people who live 

 on Lake Amatitlan. The chief objection to it is its small size and 

 the numerous small bones it contains. This fish is not seen in the 

 markets and seldom in the catch of any of the fishermen there. 

 It is very abundant along the shores where there is much vegeta- 

 tion, as it feeds almost entirely on algae and the tender parts of 

 the higher water plants in the lakes. It is a handsome, active 

 fish, but of no important commercial value. This fish in Lake 

 Atitlan is of more importance, due largely to the absence of larger 

 fishes. It is easily captured by use of conical wickerwork traps, 

 which are set in the water where vegetation is abundant. The 

 Serica will enter fish traps of this style in Lake Amatitlan in far 

 greater numbers than do any of the other species there. Its habits, 

 so far as known, are about the same as those of the Mojarra. They 

 deposit their eggs in April, May and June. So far as known, this 

 fish is found only in the mountain lakes of western Guatemala, 

 but it is not, at present, recorded from any of the rivers of the 

 Republic. Lakes Amatitlan and Atitlan, abundant. 



Cichlasoma guttulatum Giinther. MOJARRA. 



This is the largest fish in Lake Amatitlan. The largest speci- 

 men obtained by me was 270 mm. in length. It is a very hand- 

 some fish ; its flesh is well flavored and very firm. As a food fish 

 it is regarded as one of the very best in the fresh waters of the 

 republic. This fish feeds to some extent on small fishes, but 

 plants formed much the largest supply of the food of a large 

 number of specimens examined by me. The Mojarra deposits 

 its eggs in nests made in the sand and gravel in shallow water at 

 the base of the Tules. I am told that they deposit their eggs in 

 April, May and June. This fish is found in the rivers on the west 

 slope of Guatemala. Its rather small size, and being found in 

 rather small numbers, prevent its becoming a food fish of much 

 importance. Over fishing, especially during the breeding season, 

 is always sure to keep the numbers of this fish much reduced in 

 the lake. All of the individuals of the species which are caught, 

 whether large or small, are used for food. These fishes are 



