Hemichromis guttatus (Günther)

Chan, Jeffery C. F., Tsang, Alphonse H. F., Yau, Sze-man, Hui, Tommy C. H., Lau, Anthony, Tan, Heok Hui, Low, Bi Wei, Dudgeon, David & Liew, Jia Huan, 2023, The non-native freshwater fishes of Hong Kong: diversity, distributions, and origins, Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 71, pp. 128-168 : 144

Hemichromis guttatus (Günther)

( Fig. 30 , [LU])

Distribution. Kowloon Reservoir, Kowloon Reception Reservoir, Kowloon Byewash Reservoir (Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Limited, 2008 as Hemichromis stellifer ; current survey); Tai O River (Atkins China Limited, 2016 as Hemichromis stellifer ; Tsang & Dudgeon, 2021a; current survey); Tai Tong area (Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited, 2017 as Hemichromis stellifer ); Tai Lam Chung Reservoir (AFCD, 2021c as Hemichromis stellifer ; current survey); Pui O Stream, Lam Tsuen River (DSD, 2021 as Hemichromis stellifer ; current survey); Tung Chung River (DSD, 2021 as Hemichromis stellifer ; Green Power, 2021; current survey); Mui Tsz Lam Stream, Aberdeen Lower Reservoir, Shing Mun River (GBIF.org, 2021); Wong Lung Hang Stream, Sha Lo Wan Stream, Sham Wat River, Pak Tin area (Tai Wai) ( Tsang & Dudgeon, 2021a as Hemichromis stellifer ); Deep Water Bay Stream, San Tau Stream, Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir, Tai Tam Reservoir, Tai Tam Byewash Reservoir, Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir, Wong Nai Chung Reservoir, Lam Tei Irrigation Reservoir, Hung Shui Hang Irrigation Reservoir, Hok Tau Reservoir, Lau Shui Heung Reservoir, Aberdeen Upper Reservoir, Pok Fu Lam Reservoir, Lower Shing Mun Reservoir, Shing Mun Reservoir, Shek Lei Pui Reservoir (current survey).

Native range. Africa.

Remarks. Previously misidentified as Hemichromis stellifer in Hong Kong. It occupies a wide range of habitats but tends to thrive in unpolluted and well-oxygenated streams. Unlike most other non-native fish species, Hemichromis guttatus has penetrated further upstream (over 150 m above sea level), in a similar manner to Xiphophorus hellerii .

Figures

Fig. 30. Hemichromis guttatus, 66 mm SL, Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir.