Cichlid Profiles - Amphilophus margaritifer
 

A. margaritifer remains the total mystery fish in the genus. Supposedly from Lago Peten-Itza in northern Guatemala, there is a type specimen in the British Museum of Natural History, but the type locality is uncertain. Others supposedly from Honduras are in doubt. It is listed as endangered by the IUCN. It may be extinct. It may be a hybrid, or the name may be a poltypic collection of different fish. Some think it is the "link" between Thorichthys and Amphilophus. It is alledgedly in a few captive collections, but no one is certain.

It size has been listed as anythere from 5 to 11 inches. The fish usually pictured as it is an attractive gold-yellow with many wine colored highlights, particularly on the fins, and a pearly dorsal fin. It has 6 black mid-dorsal spots and 6-8 vague vertical head and body bars. It lives in water of 78-82 degrees. Any other info on this species is still conjecture. See "Images of Amphilophus margaritifer" for pictures, not all of which are accurate with certainty.