Vieja melanura
(Günther 1862)
Family Cichlidae
The redhead cichlid is a member of the cichlid and tilapia family. It has an oval, compressed body with a short head, pointed snout and a small mouth. There are a series of black blotches – or a black stripe – that extend from the slightly anterior region to, and along, much of the lower lateral line onto the caudal fin base. Breeding males are bright red-orange or yellow and develop a large nuchal hump. The anal fin has between five and seven spines, and the caudal fin edge is truncated to slightly rounded. The redhead cichlid inhabits canals.
Status & distribution
- Status — Non-indigenous freshwater
- Florida Distribution — Peninsula drainages
- River Drainages — the Everglades