Cichlid Profiles - Cichlasoma pusillum
 

This is one of a dozen new species defined by Kullander in 1983. It a rather plain brown cichlid with some white scales, sometimes including a slightly filigreed white chin, a red eye, a little dark triangle below the eye, and a blotchy bar from eye to tail ending in a spot on the upper caudal peduncle. The line may be fairly straight or partly broken into blotches. The pectoral fins are gold.

It comes from the Parana River and the Acaray River of Paaraguay. Known specimens are about 4 inches. This species still needs a full wild and captive workup. Pictures at "Images of Cichlasoma pusillum." The second pictures in the first two rows are typical. Some of the other photos are other species, as it is not well described nor particularly colorful.