Introduced Cichlids in the Americas: Distribution Patterns, Invasion Ecology, and Impacts

The Cichlidae is one of the most diverse fish families in Neotropical and Afrotropical regions. It includes many species that are valued for aquaculture, the aquarium trade, and sport fishing, which has resulted in their introduction into different ecosystems worldwide. In the Americas, non-native cichlids have been recorded from southernmost Canada to northern Argentina, and North America has received the largest number of non-native cichlids followed by South and Central America. This group has a set of life history traits (e.g., parental care, multiple spawning, and piscivorous or omnivorous diets) that favors its occupation of new environments. This review provides information about non-native cichlids in the watersheds of the American continents including their distribution, predominant introduction vectors, reasons for success, and impacts on local ecosystems.