FISHES OF EL SALVADOR 
245 
or 11 between the dorsal and adipose, 6 or 7 from origin of dorsal to lateral line; 
dorsal elevated anteriorly, its origin equidistant from tip of snout and base of caudal 
or more usually a little nearer the former; adipose over the posterior rays of the 
anal; caudal fin broadly forked; anal fin rather long, its origin at or slightly behind 
vertical from end of dorsal base, usually about equidistant from margin of opercle 
and base of caudal; ventral fins moderate, inserted a little in advance of dorsal; 
pectorals short, 1.2 to 1.35 in head. 
Color in life silvery with bluish green above; sides with an ill-defined bright 
silvery streak, most evident posteriorly; a dark shoulder spot, and frequently an 
indication of a second black spot behind it; dorsal olivaceous; caudal greenish, 
with an elongate black spot at its base extending to the end of the median rays; 
anal pink to deep red; ventrals usually more or less reddish; pectorals yellowish to 
red; upper part of iris red to reddish yellow. 
Many specimens of this species, ranging in length from 20 to 135 millimeters, 
were preserved. This fish is very common in some localities but absent in others. 
It is especially abundant in Lake Olomega, where large quantities are taken and 
used for food. It was not taken in Lakes Ahuachapan, Chalchuapa, Coatepeque, 
Chanmico, and Ilopango. Especially large and fine specimens were taken in the Rio 
Pampe, a tributary of the Rio de Paz, near Chalchuapa. The individuals taken 
here are somewhat more slender, and they have a less distinct lateral band than the 
fish taken elsewhere. This fish inhabits the deeper parts of rocky and swiftly- 
flowing streams as well as quiet and shallow water. 
The alimentary canal in tliis species is shorter than tlie body, and the peritoneum 
is black. The food found in 5 stomachs examined consisted of water fleas, copepods, 
water beetles, and fragments of fish. The sexual organs in the specimens dissected 
were collapsed, showing that spawning was not taking place during the period 
(January and February) when the specimens were collected. 
A.fasciatusis an extremely variable species and many forms have been described. 
The specimens from El Salvador appear to be nearest the form which Eigenmann, 
in his monumental work, ' ' The American Characidse," has designated as A.fasciatus 
xneus. It was pointed out in the preceding paragraph, however, that the specimens 
from the Rio de Paz basin differ somewhat from those taken elsewhere in El Salvador, 
Eigenmann, in speaking of the many variations, says : ' ' Whether we call these forms 
species, varieties, or do not recognize them as worthy of name, the fact remains that 
different rivers are inhabited by individuals that in the aggregate differ from the 
individuals of another river, * * * that we have here a series of species in the 
making as the result of segregation." It would appear that at last two species are 
"in the making" in El Salvador. 
This form, according to Eigenmann, ranges from Mexico to Panama. The 
specimens from El Salvador are from the Rio Pampe at Chalchuapa, Lake Guija, 
Lake Metapan, Lake Zapotitan, Rio Sucio at Sitio del Nino, Rio Lempa at Suchitoto 
and San Marcos, Rio San Miguel at San Miguel, and Lake Olomega. 
