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CICHLIDS
SOUTH AMERICAN CICHLIDS
More than 225 species, with estimates of 300 species, of cichlids are found throughout
South America. An estimated 75% of these inhabit the mighty Amazon River Basin. However, cichlids are not the most abundant
fish in this river, with them making up only 6-10% of all fish species found there.
South America consists of three major water types: whitewater, clearwater (blue water),
and blackwater.
(1) Whitewater rivers pick up large amounts of sediments from the Andes giving the water a
muddy-brown color. Whitewater receives its name from the white foam of the rapids ofthe upper regions. Whitewater river rivers lack abundant
plant life. Most aquarium species are found in quiet, backwater areas like oxbow lakes. The water properties of white water
rivers are: a pH from 6.8-7.1 and a dH of 3-5.
The best example of a white river river is the Amazon River.
(2) Clear or blue water rivers are tributaries which flow through ancient Brazilian and Guyana
rock beds where little sediment is released into the rivers. The waters of these rivers is very clear and
allows plant growth. Clear water rivers have a pH of 6.9-7.5, and a water hardness of 5-12 dH. The Rio Xingu and the Rio Tocantins
are such rivers.
(3) Blackwater rivers are nutrient poor and tea or black in color from the tanic acid released
from decaying vegetation. Blackwater is crystal clear and has been compared to distilled water due to its lack of
dissolved minerals. Blackwater rivers are acidic (6.0 pH) and soft, with little measurable water hardness (0
dH). The
Rio Negro is the most famous of the blackwater rivers.
Among South American Cichlids are the well-known Angelfish, Discus, and Oscar. Others
include the Acaras, New World Dwarf Cichlids (Apistogramma and related), Eartheaters, and many
others.
South American Cichlids differ greatly from one another in
body shape, coloration, and survival habits.
Since they differ so greatly, no general description of South American
Cichlids, as a whole, can be accurately included.
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Recent news
Governments, public failing to save world's species
(11/04/2009)
According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) 2008 report, released yesterday, 36 percent of the total species evaluated by the organization are threatened with extinction. If one adds the species classified as Near Threatened, the percentage jumps to 44 percent—nearly half.
Atlantic bluefin tuna should be banned internationally: ICCAT scientists
(10/29/2009)
Scientists with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) have said in a new report that a global ban on Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing is justified. ICCAT meets in November to decide if they will follow their scientist's recommendations.
The Yangtze River may have lost another inhabitant: the Chinese paddlefish
(10/22/2009)
In December of 2006 it was announced that the Yangtze River dolphin, commonly known as the baiji, had succumbed to extinction. The dolphin had survived on earth for 20 million years, but the species couldn't survive the combined onslaught of pollution, habitat loss, boat traffic, entanglement in fishing hooks, death from illegal electric fishing, and the construction of several massive dams. Now, another flagship species of the Yangtze River appears to have vanished.
Freshwater species worse off than land or marine
(10/15/2009)
Scientists have announced that freshwater species are likely the most threatened on earth. Extinction rates for freshwater inhabitants are currently four to six times the rates for terrestrial and marine species. Yet, these figures have not lead to action on the ground.
New species of ghostshark discovered off California's coast
(09/22/2009)
The discovery of Eastern Pacific black ghostshark Hydrolagus melanophasma is notable for a number of reasons. It is the first new species of cartilaginous fish—i.e fish whose skeletons are made entirely of cartilage, such as sharks, rays, and skate—to be described in California water since 1947. It is also a representative of an ancient and little-known group of fish.
Photos: new deep sea species discovered off the Canary Islands
(09/21/2009)
Owned by Spain, but located just off the northwest coast of Africa, the Canary Islands sport a wide variety of marine life, including five species of marine turtles, ten species of sharks and rays, and innumerable fish and invertebrates. However, a new expedition has gone beyond the known, sending a robot to depths of 500 meters to discover the secrets of the Canary Island's deep sea.
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