Rocio Octofasciata,
Rocio Ocotal,
And Rocio Gemmata
Rocio Octofasciata is what I believe to be the current acceptable name for Jack Dempsey cichlids.
And one of my favorites as well. But during my web surfing, I have run accross these other two varieties.
Rocio Ocotal, And Rocio Gemmata. Both having there own speicies names.
But also being referd to as Jack Dempsey cichlids at other times.
Rocio Ocotal
Genus : Rocio
Species : Ocotal
Classifications : Actinopterygii | Perciformes | Cichlidae | Cichlasomatinae
Common Names:
Mojarra del Ocotal
Occurrence Overview (GBIF) :
-- no occurence data for this species --
Information :
Main reference : Schmitter-Soto, J.J. 2007. (Ref. 74403)
Size / Weight / Age : Max length : 9.6 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 74403)
Environment : Benthopelagic; freshwater
Climate / Range : Tropical
Distribution : Central America: probably endemic of Mexico.
Short description : Dorsal spines (total): 18 - 19; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 10; Anal spines: 8 - 9; Anal soft rays: 6 - 9. This species is characterized by the following: abdomen reddish (vs. whitish-grayish) in life; pelvic fins often fall short of anal-fin origin (vs. usually reaching caudad beyond first or second anal-fin spine); no lingual cusp in lower symphysial teeth (vs. usually present); isolated secondary pores (in addition to the pored scales on the extended caudal fin) present (vs. absent or sporadic); no spots on scales on side of body (vs. present); 4 or 5 dentary pores (vs. always 4) (Ref. 74403).
Rocio Gemmata
Genus : Rocio
Species : Gemmata
Classifications : Actinopterygii | Perciformes | Cichlidae | Cichlasomatinae
Common Names:
Mojarra de Leona Vicario
Occurrence Overview (GBIF) :
-- no occurence data for this species --
Information :
Main reference : Schmitter-Soto, J.J. 2007. (Ref. 74403)
Size / Weight / Age : Max length : 7.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 74403)
Environment : Benthopelagic; freshwater
Climate / Range : Tropical
Distribution : North America: apparently endemic to the eastern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.
Short description : Dorsal spines (total): 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 10; Anal spines: 8 - 9; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8. This species is characterized by the following: spots on the sides are larger than scales and not clearly aligned (vs. smaller than scales and rather well-aligned); stripe from the snout to the eye is interrupted (vs. continuous); quadrate bone with a spine (vs. none); maxilla reaching both a vertical and a horizontal line from orbit (vs. just to the ventral rim); cheek-scale rows modally 7 (vs. 6 or fewer); interradial scales on dorsal fin arranged in a row (vs. distally in two rows); dorsal and anal fins without filaments (vs. bearing filaments); anal and medial gut-loops not adjacent, well separated by the stomach and the liver (vs. always adjacent); rostral end of maxilla is notched or at least concave (vs. convex, notch absent); caudal ocellus blue in life (vs. white) (Ref. 74403).
Biology :
IUCN Red List Status : Not Evaluated
Human uses :
Rocio octofasciata
Main reference : Schmitter-Soto, J.J. 2007. (Ref. 74403)
Size / Weight / Age : Max length : 25.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5723); common length : 7.5 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 12193)
Environment : Benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 7.0 - 8.0; dH range: 9 - 20
Climate / Range : Tropical; 22°C - 30°C (Ref. 7335); 21°N - 14°N
Distribution :
Short description : Dorsal spines (total): 17 - 19; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 10; Anal spines: 8 - 9; Anal soft rays: 7 - 9. This species has spots on sides smaller than scales, aligned in about 15 regular series (vs. not clearly aligned); abdomen predominantly whitish or greyish in life (similar to R. gemmata, vs. reddish in R. ocotal; ventral angle of articular is acute (vs. right); the first neural spine oriented rostrad (vs. caudad); circumpeduncular scales as few as 17 (vs. always more than 19); distance from the caudal esophageal loop in gut to esophagus always greater than 24% gut length (vs. less than 16%) (Ref. 74403). There are no unique autapomorphies.
Biology : Occurs in swampy areas with warm, murky water. Found in weedy, mud-bottomed and sand-bottomed canals and drainage ditches (Ref. 5723). Prefers coastal plains and slow moving waters of the lower river valleys (Ref. 7335). Feeds on worms, crustaceans, insects and fish (Ref. 7020).
To me, They appear to be morphs of the common Jack Dempsey. Or maybe a better word could be dwarfs.
So I guess my questions are.
- Are they really new species.
- Does anyone on this forum raise either of the two, And can give some more clarification to this.
- And lastly, If they were crossbreed to each other, Would they really be hybrids?
Looking for some answers
Spike
