Eleotridae - Dormitator latifrons (Richardson, 1844) |
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| *Specimen from Chongon Reservoir near city of Guayaquil* |
| SOURCE FOR OCCURRENCE IN ECUADOR: This species is common along the Pacific slope of Ecuador from Esmeraldas to Huaquillas. There are many references for its occurrence in the area (e.g., Eigenmann, 1922; Ovchynnyk, 1971; Barnhill et al., 1974; Cadena, 1982; Barriga, 1991; Florencio, 1993; Lopez et al, 1993; Laaz et al., 2009; Revelo, 2010; Laaz & Torres, 2010). |
| ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION: Richardson, J. 1844. Ichthyology.--Part 1. In R. B. Hinds (ed.). The zoology of the voyage of H. M. S. Sulphur, under the command of Captain Sir Edward Belcher, R. N., C. B., F. R. G. S., etc., during the years 1836-42, No. 5. London: Smith, Elder & Co. Ichthyology.--Part 3. The zoology of the voyage of H. M. S. Sulphur.: 51-70, Pls. 35-44. |
| TYPE SPECIMENS: |
| TAXONOMIC STATUS: Valid (Eschmeyer and Fricke, 2011) . |
| RANGE ECUADOR: San Lorenzo in Esmeraldas province, Chone and Portoviejo rivers in Manabi province, Guayas River basin including the Estero Salado in Guayaquil, and Santa Rosa in El Oro province (Laaz et al, 2009). |
| RANGE OUTSIDE OF ECUADOR: Pacific slope from California to Peru (Eschmeyer, 2011). |
| COLLECTIONS IN ECUADOR: |
| MAXIMUM SIZE: 50 cm (Laaz et al., 2009). |
| DISTINGUISHING FEATURES: Dormitator latifrons is distinguished from other species in Western Ecuador by having a short, robust body, a wide flat head, a large mouth, maxilary reaches the anterior margin of the ocular orbit, lower mandible projects beyond upper, dorsal fins with dark blotches againts a fainter background, color is highly variable from dark brown to green dorsally, orange blotches at the apix of the dorsal fin. There is significant sexual dimorphism, the female papilla is rounded and surrounded by small protuberances, the males papilla is pointed and lacks protuberances (Laaz et al, 2009). |
| ECOLOGY: Dormitator latifrons known in Ecuador as the “chame” is a large, ecologically important herbivorous and ditritivorous fish that feeds on phytoplankton, plant roots, and detritus (Cadena, 1982). |
| ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE: This is an important food fish and very popular among people in western Ecuador. It is cultivated and exported primarily to the United States (Laaz et al, 2009). |
| CONSERVATION STATUS: NA, although the species is heavily exploited and cultured as a food fish. |
| LINK TO FISHBASE PAGE: Click here for link |
| SPECIES PROFILE CREATED BY: Enrique Laaz |
| SPECIES PROFILE CONTRIBUTORS: NA |
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