Cichla nigromaculata Jardine & Schomburgk 1843

Diagnosis: Distinguished from its congeners except C. intermedia, C. ocellaris, C. melaniae, and C. piquiti by the presence of bars 1a and 2a; similar to ocellaris in possessing a dark blotch dorsally in bar 3. Differs from piquiti in lower scale count (E1 row scales 75-84, vs. 83-104), and in having bars relatively narrow and short instead of uniformly wide across the side and reaching to the lower abdominal side. Differs from melaniae by the presence of prominent dark blotch dorsally in bar 3, and absence of numerous small light spots on side and from intermedia by lower scale count (E1 row scales 75-85 vs. 96-108), absence of horizontal lateral band, and vertical bars most prominent on dorsum rather than along midaxis. It is different from ocellaris in possession of small black spots on dorsal side, discontinuous lateral line (vs. usually continuous); more scales (E1 scales 75-84 vs. 67-82); narrower caudal peduncle (depth 10.3-11.4 %SL vs. 11.9-13.2 %SL in specimens over 100 mm SL); vertical bars 1-3 wide dorsally, tapering to a point below middle of side (vs. usually relatively narrow and about equally wide from dorsum to ventral end); absence of postorbital markings (vs. presence); and presence of distinct occipital bar (vs. absent or indistinct) (Ref. 57716).