JULY, 1907. FISHES OF GREAT LAKES, NICARAGUA MEEK. 117 



Color light olivaceous, each scale with a lighter center, forming 

 rather indistincts lines along the rows of scales; fins all plain. 



This species is apparently not abundant in the lake. I did not 

 see a single fresh specimen in the markets. The only specimen taken 

 was caught in my collecting seine. It is known as Roballo, and is 

 regarded as an excellent food fish. 



Family Cichlidse. THE CICHLIDS; "MOJARRAS." 



Body compressed, deep or elongate, covered with rather large 

 ctenoid scales; lateral line interrupted, usually ceasing near end of 

 dorsal fin, then recommencing farther down on middle of caudal pe- 

 duncle; mouth terminal; teeth in jaws conical, lobate or incisor-like ; 

 no teeth on vomer or palatines; nostril single on each side; dorsal 

 fin single, the spinous portion usually longer than soft portion; anal 

 fin with three or more spines ; air bladder present ; caudal fin rounded 

 to slightly forked. The fishes which are known as Mojarras,- and their 

 allies, inhabiting the lakes and rivers of Nicaragua, belong to this 

 family. 



a. Teeth all conical or cylindrical. Cichlasoma 117 

 aa. Anterior teeth compressed. 



b. Anterior teeth with edges entire. Neetroplus 130 

 bb. Anterior teeth with edges tricuspid. Herotilipia 130 



Genus Cichlasoma Swainson. "MOJARRAS," CICHLIDS. 



To this genus belong the Cichlids or Mojarras with conical or cylin- 

 drical teeth. Those found in Nicaraguan lakes belong to four groups 

 which may best be regarded as subgenera. In the following key are 

 given the important features distinguishing these subgenera and the 

 species. 



a. Mouth large, the mandible more than half the length of the 



head; two anterior teeth in upper jaw enlarged and. canine- 

 like; anterior teeth of lower jaw very small, these followed 

 by two canine-like teeth, the posterior being the larger; fold 

 of lower lip continuous (Parapetenia) . 



b. Preorbital narrow, its depth 8.1 to 9.5 in length of head ; cheeks 



with about 6 rows of scales. managuense 119 



bb. Preorbital broad, its depth 4.5 to 5.0 in head; cheeks with 



about 10 rows of scales. dovii 120 



