Petenia splendida
Günther, 1892
Common Name:
Giant Cichlid
Synonyms and Other Names:
bay snook, tenguayaca, pez blanco
Identification:
In general, members of the Cichlidae family (cichlids) are superficially similar to sunfishes and black basses (Centrarchidae: Lepomis and Micropterus). Cichlids can be distinguished from centrarchids by a single nostril opening on each side of the head and the presence of a discontinuous or two-part lateral line, in comparison to two nostril openings and a continuous lateral line in centrarchids. Their coloration is silvery, often with scattered small black spots, and a series of black blotches along the midline of the body and distinct blotches at posterior ends of the opercula and base of the caudal fin. They possess a large and highly protrusible mouth. Some individuals, rare in the wild but popular in the aquarium trade, have a red to orange coloration and are given the common name red bay snook (Greenfield and Thomerson 1997).
Size:
Up to 35 cm SL (Miller et al. 2005)
Native Range:
Atlantic slope of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. Río Grijalva, Río Usumacinta, and Belize River basins, including Lago Petén (Miller et al. 2005)
Ecology:
In its native range, Petenia splendida is a piscivorous cichlid that inhabits freshwater streams and inland lagoons in Mesoamerica. P. splendida has a projectile jaw and a large gape (Cochran-Biederman and Winemiller 2010). Sexual maturity is reached at around 16.5 cm total length and reproduction occurs throughout the year, peaking in June and July in their native range (Miller et al. 2005, Arredondo-Figueroa et al. 2012). Females produce a mean of 2,400 eggs and offspring are protected by both parents (Arredondo-Figueroa et al. 2012, Resendez & Salvadires 1983).
Means of Introduction:
Likely an aquarium release.
Status:
Eradicated. A multi-agency team removed hundreds of this species from Pinecrest Gardens in Miami, Florida in November 2017 (Schofield et al. 2019). The site was resampled in December 2022 and no P. splendida were found (Brown 2022).
Great Lakes Impacts:
Remarks:
Voucher specimens: Florida (UF 236748). P. splendida is popular in the artisanal freshwater fishing industry in Guatemala and Mexico and the species is considered overexploited in its native range (Quintana et al. 2021).
References
(click for full reference list)
Author:
Reaver, K.M., Neilson, M.E.
Contributing Agencies:
Revision Date:
10/4/2023
Peer Review Date:
10/4/2023
Citation for this information:
Reaver, K.M., Neilson, M.E., 2024, Petenia splendida Günther, 1892: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, and NOAA Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System, Ann Arbor, MI, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/GreatLakes/FactSheet.aspx?Species_ID=2940, Revision Date: 10/4/2023, Peer Review Date: 10/4/2023, Access Date: 5/26/2024
This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.