| SOURCE FOR OCCURRENCE IN ECUADOR: This species is common in rivers of the Guayas basin and in the Chone River in Manabi province. There are many references for its occurrence in the area (e.g., Eigenmann, 1922; Ovchynnyk, 1971; Barnhill et al., 1974; Laaz et al., 2009; Laaz & Torres, 2010). |
| ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION: Kner, R. 1863. Eine Uebersicht der ichthyologischen Ausbeute des Herrn Professors Dr. Mor. Wagner in Central-Amerika. Sitzungsberichte der Koningl. Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, München 2:220-230. |
| TYPE SPECIMENS: |
| TAXONOMIC STATUS: Valid (Eschmeyer and Fricke, 2011) . |
| RANGE ECUADOR: Guayas basin rivers and Chone River in Manabi province (Ovchynnyk, 1971). Also found on the Galapagos Islands according to Eschmeyer (2011). |
| RANGE OUTSIDE OF ECUADOR: Southern California to Peru (Eschmeyer, 2011). |
| COLLECTIONS IN ECUADOR: |
| MAXIMUM SIZE: 40 cm (Laaz et al., 2009). |
| DISTINGUISHING FEATURES: Eleotris picta is distinguished from other species ocurring in Western Ecuador by having a robust body, head somewhat flattened, transparent fins, 50-64 scales on the lateral line, narrow branchial opening, lower mandible projected upwards, brown to yellowish color dorsally (Laaz et al, 2009). |
| ECOLOGY: Eleotris picta is known in Ecuador as the “guavina manchada" or "vaca”. It is a large, ecologically important carnivorous fish that feeds on fish, bivalves, and crustaceans. It has benthic habits and spends much of its time motionless on the bottom waiting for prey. It is very territorial when held in captivity and violently attacks conspecifics (Laaz et al, 2009). |
| ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE: This is an important food fish for people in rural parts of western Ecuador. It is also cultivated as a food fish and exported to the United States (Laaz et al, 2009). |
| CONSERVATION STATUS: NA, although the species is heavily exploited as a food fish. |
| LINK TO FISHBASE PAGE: Click here for link |
| SPECIES PROFILE CREATED BY: Enrique Laaz |
| SPECIES PROFILE CONTRIBUTORS: |
