Vieja zonata (Meek, 1905)
Female with fry in Ostuta River, video by Juan Miguel Artigas Azas [00:01:47], taken at Ostuta: Ostuta
A group of young and adult Vieja zonata is shown before a nervous female guarding her large numerous babies in a protected area in the shallow Ostuta River [Mexico]. The threat to the babies at all times is clear in this video, although luckily the fry has reached a large enough size to protect themselves.
- Access exclusive information
- Support scientific accuracy and growth
- Support unbiased, independent research
Videos
Female guaring fry, by Juan Miguel Artigas Azas [00:01:16]
A female of Vieja zonata guards her fry in Rio Ajal, part of the Coatzacoalcos River drainage (Oaxaca). This particular population has females with the brightest coloration of those populations I know.
Female guaring fry, by Juan Miguel Artigas Azas [00:01:04]
A female of Vieja zonata guards her fry in the current of the Río Solosuchil, part of the Coatzacoalcos River drainage (Oaxaca). Normally a nervous fish, pairs of this species were wary of my presence. The large male kept his distance, while the female swam in wide circles, periodically returning to call the fry to follow her. Although some pairs—particularly larger individuals—do not display the bright yellow coloration seen in others during the breeding period, a breeding individual can always be identified by its bright yellow eye.
Female with fry in Ostuta River, by Juan Miguel Artigas Azas [00:01:47]
A group of young and adult Vieja zonata is shown before a nervous female guarding her large numerous babies in a protected area in the shallow Ostuta River [Mexico]. The threat to the babies at all times is clear in this video, although luckily the fry has reached a large enough size to protect themselves.