Invasive Exotic Species (IAS) is one of the main causes of the decrease in diversity worldwide, and in the case of aquatic organisms the list of introductions of freshwater fish species is very wide. The Manzanares watershed in the Sucre state has not escaped this phenomenon and its consequences, being studied since the 1960s and reporting the presence of invasive cichlids such as petenia and tilapia. In 2007, the presence of the matagauaro Crenicichla geayi in the Cedeño River was reported for the first time in the basin. After thirteen years after its appearance, this research aimed to evaluate the distribution of C. geayi, considered an invasive species in this basin. The results show the ascent and distribution of the species in the upper and middle basin, highlighting its presence mainly in the tributaries of the Manzanares, in addition to its established populations, its most notable effect within the ecosystem is the apparent decrease by predation, of the populations of river shrimp of the genus Macrobrachium. In this context, C. geayi can be considered a successful invader after more than a decade of its appearance. The need for studies on the behavior, evolution and consequences of IAS in indigenous populations, together with adequate preventive management and environmental education for residents, are the most effective actions to reduce introductions.