Megaleporinus muyscorum
Megaleporinus muyscorum is a species of freshwater fish in the genus Megaleporinus. It is endemic to Colombia, where it occurs in the Magdalena River Basin and Atrato River. The species was first described by Franz Steindachner in 1900.
Etymology
The species epithet of muyscorum refers to the Muisca, who inhabited the Altiplano Cundiboyacense in the upper course of the feeding Lebrija River. Spanish names for Megaleporinus muyscorum are moino, liseta, dentón, and comelón.
Description
The species is a large fish in the genus Megaleporinus with lengths ranging from. Distinct pairs breed on densely grown weedy places. The edible species is important in the freshwater fish culture in Colombia, as it adapts easily to artificial food. Megaleporinus muyscorum does not breed in captivity. The omnivorous species feeds on Luehea seemannii seeds, fish detritus and insects.
Habitat
Megaleporinus muyscorum is found in the Magdalena River Basin, and the Ranchería, San Jorge, Sinú, Uré and Truandó Rivers. The type locality is the Lebrija River on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense in Santander. The fish also occurs in the Atrato River. In the Manso River in Caldas, at depths of, the fish is abundant. The species has been classified as a Vulnerable species, due to intense overfishing. Its longevity is six to seven months, and three generations thus correspond to no more than 1.5 years. In 8 years, catch rates in the Atrato River have declined by 90%. Although catch rates are lower in other parts of its range, they have increased in the past few years. It is thus suspected that between 30 and 50% of the population has disappeared in 10 years due to overfishing.