Vieja Melanurus, QUETZAL CICHLID (PARATHRAPS SYNSPILUM) (CHD-142)

Vieja melanurus, the quetzal cichlid, redhead cichlid or firehead cichlid, is a speciesof cichlidthat is native to the Lake Petensystemand other Atlantic river drainages in southern Mexico, Belize,and Guatemala, with introducedpopulations in a few other countries.It typically inhabits slow-moving or standing waters such as rivers, lakes and lagoons; although primarily a freshwater fish, it may occur in slightly brackishhabitats.It is popular in the aquariumtrade, where often listed under the synonymV. synspila/synspilumIt is almost entirely herbivorous, but may also take small animal prey.