Identification of Acara (Cichlidae: Cichlasoma) established in Florida, USA

The Black Acara, Cichlasoma bimaculatum (Linnaeus 1758), first reported as introduced to Florida in 1965, is distributed throughout Florida's southern peninsula. Examination of live and preserved museum specimens of acara reveal a second species, the Chanchita, Cichlasoma dimerus (Heckel 1840) present in Florida since at least July 2000. A review of the relevant literature coupled with an examination of acara collected in Florida show the Black Acara and the Chanchita are most easily distinguished by number of anal fin spines, body and fin color, caudal fin pattern, and degree of pigment on the rim of the scales of the head and nape. The presence of Cichlasoma dimerus in central Florida springs habitat and the substantial spread of this previously unreported introduced species throughout multiple watersheds should be of potential concern to natural resource managers.