Common name: Bay Snook
Native name:
Scientific name: Petinia slendida
Family: Cichlidae
Information: Predators on other fish; Can grow large enough for
game fish. Standard length is 300 mm, in Belize it is used for food
and as a sport fish.
Common Name: Blue-eye cichlid
Native Name:
Scientific Name: Cichlisoma Spilurum
Family: Cichlidae
Information: A small species, standard length of 83mm. Occur
many habitants, from lowland swamps to cool mountain streams.
Its small size and peaceful disposition makes it a great aquarium
fish
Common Name: Firemouth Cichlid
Scientific Name: Cichlisoma meeki
Native Name:
Family: Cichlidae
Information: A small species, standard length is 115mm or less.
The firemouth is one of the most abundant cichlids. It is relatively
a deep-bodied species with a triangular head. The firemouth mouth
has been a popular aquarium fish since the early 1900s. Studies
have shown that the eyespots on the opercle makes that fish look
larger when flared
Common Name: Thread fin shad
Scientific Name: Dorsoma Pretenense
Native Name:
Family: Clupeidae
Information: Standard length of 180mm. In the us this species
feeds on plankton but when scarce it will find something else. In
the Belize it probably has the same feeding habits. In early
mornings schools will be found in shallow water near brush, logs,
or plants to spawn their adhesive eggs, also to minimize being
eaten by other fish or diving birds.
Common Name: Southern checkmark Native Name:
Scientific Name: Cichlasoma godmani Family: Cichlidae
Information: Length around 165mm. A very wary species, usually
found near boulders or ledges to provide hiding. They are
omnivorous, but seem to specialize on fresh vegetation. The lining
of the body cavity is silver which is unusual for a herbivorous fish.
Common Name: redhead cichlid Native Name:
Scientific Name: Cichlasoma synspilum
Family: Cichlidae
Information: Standard length of females is 173mm but the males
are usually larger. They are confused quite a bit with the
maculicuada because of body shape and coloration. It is
omnivorous and eats a considerable amount or vegetation.
Common Name: Tilapia (cherry snapper) Native Name:
Scientific Name: Oreochromis nilotica Family: Oreochromis
Information: This species requires 76 to 84 degrees fahrenheit.
Most common food is algae but will eat something else if the algae
is scarce. They are prolific breeders, in many countries are
considered a trouble because of so many. They sometimes will be
called a sunshine snapper or St. Peters fish.
Common Name: Mayan cichlid
Native Name:
Scientific Name: Cichlasoma urophthalmus Family: Cichlidae
Information: Standard length is 200mm. Most common in lowlying coastal areas. This large predatory cichlid is tolerant of
seawater and have been found breeding in seawater. It has been
found that it will grow faster in saltwater than fresh.
Common Name: Shortfin molly
Scientific Name: Poecilia mexicana
Native Name:
Family: Poeciliidae
Information: Standard length of 94mm. There is a considerable
variation in size among the various populations. This species
mainly feeds on detritus, and tends to be found in standing on slow
moving water, but have been seen bottom feeding in fairly fast
current.
Common Name: yellowjacket cichlid Native Name:
Scientific Name: Cichlasoma Friedrichstali Family: Cichlidae
Information: Standard length is 155mm, one of the largest belize
cichlids. With its large mouth and brassy yellow ground color is
one of most distinctive cichlids.