''Vieja'' is a
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...
of
cichlid fish from Central America and Mexico. The majority of the species are freshwater fish found in stagnant or slow-moving waters of southern Mexico to
El Salvador, but ''V. maculicauda'', which also occurs in
brackish water
Brackish water, sometimes termed brack water, is water occurring in a natural environment that has more salinity than freshwater, but not as much as seawater. It may result from mixing seawater (salt water) and fresh water together, as in estuari ...
s, ranges south to
Panama
Panama ( , ; es, link=no, Panamá ), officially the Republic of Panama ( es, República de Panamá), is a transcontinental country spanning the southern part of North America and the northern part of South America. It is bordered by Co ...
.
They are high-bodied cichlids that reach lengths of up to depending on the exact species.
''Vieja'' feed mostly on vegetable matter, but may also take small invertebrates.
[
]
Taxonomy and species
Historically, ''Vieja'' was included in ''Cichlasoma
''Cichlasoma'' is a genus of freshwater fish in the cichlid family. The genus was previously very large (a wastebasket taxon), including cichlids from North America, including Central America, and South America.
Reclassification and subsequent ...
''. Once recognized as its own genus, it sometimes included most of the superficially similar, relatively large and high-bodied cichlids of Central America and southern Mexico, but several of these are now considered to belong to separate genera: '' Chuco'', ''Cincelichthys
''Cincelichthys'' is a genus of high-bodied cichlids found in southern Mexico to Guatemala
Guatemala ( ; ), officially the Republic of Guatemala ( es, República de Guatemala, links=no), is a country in Central America. It is bordered to ...
'', '' Isthmoheros'', '' Kihnichthys'', ''Maskaheros
''Maskaheros'' is a genus of cichlids fish found on Atlantic slope of southern Mexico and Guatemala in the Coatzacoalcos and Usumacinta River
The Usumacinta River (; named after the howler monkey) is a river in southeastern Mexico and no ...
'' and '' Oscura'' (''Oscuro'' might still be better merged with ''Vieja'', but this remains unconfirmed). Conversely, ''Vieja'' has sometimes been included in ''Paraneetroplus
''Paraneetroplus'' is a genus of cichlid fish native to moderately to fast-flowing waters in the Coatzacoalcos, Grijalva and Papaloapan river basins in southern Mexico. They reach up to in length.
Taxonomy and species
Historically, ''Paraneet ...
''.[
*'' Vieja bifasciata'' ( Steindachner, 1864) (Twoband cichlid)
*'' Vieja breidohri'' ( U. Werner & Stawikowski, 1987) (Angostura cichlid)
*'' Vieja fenestrata'' ( Günther, 1860)
*'' Vieja guttulata'' ( Günther, 1864) (Amatitlan cichlid)
*'' Vieja hartwegi'' ( J. N. Taylor & R. R. Miller, 1980) (Tailbar cichlid)
*'' Vieja maculicauda'' (]Regan
The family name Regan, along with its cognates O'Regan, O Regan, Reagan, and O'Reagan, is an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Riagáin or Ó Ríogáin, from Ua Riagáin. The meaning is likely to have originated in ancient Gaelic ''ri'' ...
, 1905) (Blackbelt cichlid)
*'' Vieja melanurus'' ( Günther, 1862) (Redhead cichlid)
*'' Vieja zonata'' (Meek
Meekness is an attribute of human nature and behavior that has been defined as an amalgam of righteousness, inner humility, and patience.
Meekness has been contrasted with humility alone insomuch as humility simply refers to an attitude towards o ...
, 1905) (Oaxaca cichlid)
In addition to these, two further species have commonly been recognized: The first is ''V. coatlicue'', but today it is usually considered the Atlantic slope population of ''V. zonata''. The second is ''V. synspilum'', in which case ''V. melanurus'' is limited to the Lake Petén system, but a review found that the supposed differences between them are invalid.
Because of individual, regional and age-related variations, definite separation of some species can be difficult. Furthermore, hybrids occur, sometimes even between a ''Vieja'' species and a species from another heroine
A hero (feminine: heroine) is a real person or a main fictional character who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through feats of ingenuity, courage, or strength. Like other formerly gender-specific terms (like ''actor''), ''hero ...
genus. The enigmatic ''Amphilophus
''Amphilophus'' is a genus of cichlid fishes from Central America, ranging from southern Mexico to Panama. The genus currently contains 23 species, including several that are well-known from the aquarium trade. However, studies led by Oldřich ...
margaritifer'', sometimes still recognized as a valid species, is most likely a hybrid involving '' Thorichthys'' and ''Vieja''.
References
Heroini
Fish of Central America
Fish of Guatemala
Cichlid genera
{{Cichlidae-stub