TankBud

Arroyo cichlid

Theraps irregularis

Also known as Irregularis cichlid

FreshwaterFish

Arroyo cichlid (Theraps irregularis)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–84°F
24–29°C
pH
7.0–8.2
Adult size
9.1 in
23 cm
Minimum tank
106 gal
400 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Substrate spawner · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Usumacinta rapids, Mexico and Guatemala

Overview

The Arroyo cichlid is a current-loving river cichlid for a tank with strong flow. It is not a first fish, but it is within reach once you have some experience.

Did you know

The Arroyo cichlid belongs to Theraps, a genus narrowed down to river specialists. These fish live in the current and rarely stray into calm water.

Caring for the Arroyo cichlid

Set up at least 106 gal (400 L) for an Arroyo cichlid, with strong pumps, boulders and a rocky, pebbly floor. Scattered driftwood matches its natural home better than a planted, still layout.

It needs moving, well-oxygenated water to stay healthy, and it fades in a still tank. Recreate that flow with strong circulation. Keep the water neutral to hard, at 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C) with a pH of 7.0 to 8.2. Feed a mostly vegetable and invertebrate diet of quality pellets, frozen foods and some greens.

It lives on the bottom and forms pairs rather than groups, so keep a single fish or a bonded pair. It is territorial and assertive, so choose tank mates with caution. Pick other robust, fast fish that suit strong flow, and nothing small enough to be pushed around. It is a substrate spawner that pairs off, and breeding it is of moderate difficulty.

Good to know

The Arroyo cichlid, Theraps irregularis, is a member of the cichlid family. It is one of the slimmer species in Theraps, a small group of Central American cichlids. It grazes aufwuchs, the film of algae and tiny animals on submerged rock.

In the wild

The Arroyo cichlid lives in the rapids and riffles of the Usumacinta and Polochic river systems, in southern Mexico and Guatemala. The water there is fast, clear and well-oxygenated, running over pebbles, boulders and current-swept wood.

Common questions

What size tank does an Arroyo cichlid need?

An Arroyo cichlid needs at least 106 gal (400 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does an Arroyo cichlid need?

An Arroyo cichlid is comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.2.

What does an Arroyo cichlid eat?

An Arroyo cichlid eats a mostly vegetable and invertebrate diet. Offer it quality pellets, frozen foods and some greens.

How big does an Arroyo cichlid get?

An adult Arroyo cichlid reaches about 9.1 in (23 cm).

How does an Arroyo cichlid breed?

An Arroyo cichlid is a substrate spawner that pairs off with a mate. Breeding it is of moderate difficulty.

Related species