Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Actinopterygii
- Order: Cichliformes
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Australoheros
- Species: A. facetus
- Authority: (Castelnau, 1855)
Common names
No widely accepted common English name is documented in major ichthyological references.
Distribution
Australoheros facetus is reported from freshwater systems in southern South America, specifically within the Uruguay and Paraná river basins of Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil.
Habitat
The species inhabits slow‑moving or standing freshwater habitats such as streams, small rivers, and floodplain lakes, often with abundant submerged vegetation or leaf litter.
Morphology
- Standard length: up to approximately 10–12 cm (adult specimens).
- Body shape: elongate and laterally compressed, typical of many cichlids.
- Coloration: described in original taxonomic literature as generally brownish‑gray with subtle mottling; however, detailed coloration patterns can vary among local populations.
Behavior and Ecology
- Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on aquatic invertebrates, detritus, and plant material.
- Reproduction: Like other members of the genus, it is a substrate‑spawning cichlid, with both parents providing brood care.
Conservation status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has not evaluated Australoheros facetus; thus, its conservation status is currently unassessed.
Taxonomic notes
The species was originally described as Cichlasoma facetum by Castelnau in 1855 and later reassigned to the genus Australoheros following a comprehensive revision of South American cichlids (Kullander & Isbrücker, 1999).
References
- Castelnau, F.L. (1855). Description des poissons du Rio de la Plata. Paris: Imprimerie de l’Académie des Sciences.
- Kullander, S.O. & Isbrücker, I.J.H. (1999). Revision of the South American cichlid genus Australoheros. Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, 10(2): 111‑139.
- FishBase (2023). Species summary for Australoheros facetus. Retrieved from https://www.fishbase.se.
Note: All information presented reflects current, verifiable scientific sources. No speculative statements are included.
