Bobo mullet

Distribution

In Costa Rica it is found in the east of the country along the Caribbean coast, especially in the north, for example in the drainages of the Parismina River, where it is not abundant,

Ecology

It is a fish which lives in warm parts of large mountain streams, but migrates downstream (catadromy) to breed in estuaries. Fry inhabit marine waters of the estuary. It is found around large boulders in clear, swift-flowing waters when adult, sharing this habitat with Sicydium sp. (chupapiedras) and Dajaus monticola (tepemechín) in Costa Rica. It feeds on macroinvertebrates, and on algae carpeting underwater rocks.

Uses

In Costa Rica it is known as bobo or pez bobo. It is fished here for subsistence consumption and sometimes commercially. It is sought for its size and good flavour.

Conservation

Its migration may be interrupted by hydroelectrical projects. It has historically suffered from population decrease and overfishing in Costa Rica. It might be under threat from agricultural run-off from banana or pineapple plantations. It is not under any legal protection in Costa Rica. It is found in the Maquenque National Wildlife Refuge and Tortuguero National Park.

References

References

1. {{FishBase. (2011)
2. Bahamón Azuero, Elizabeth. (2016). "Análisis del sistema socio-ecológico para el diseño del corredor biológico entre Los Acuíferos Guácimo Pococí y el sector sur del Humedal Ramsar Caribe Noreste, Costa Rica". Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza, Turrialba, Costa Rica.
3. (4 June 2018). "Mugiliformes". Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara.
4. Mauricio Salas Varga. (2009). "Humedales Maquenque - Humedales de Ramsar (FIR) – Anexo #2 Biodiversidad 2009". Centro Científico Tropical.