Green guapote
Mayaheros beani
Also known as Cichlasoma beani, Sinaloa cichlid
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–84°F
- 24–29°C
- pH
- 7.0–8.2
- Adult size
- 11.8 in
- 30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 119 gal
- 450 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Substrate spawner · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Pacific slope rivers, northwestern Mexico
Overview
The green guapote is a big, hardy, aggressive cichlid from the dry northwest of Mexico that holds the lower water. It is for a keeper with a little experience and a very large tank.
Did you know
The green guapote marks the far northwestern edge of the cichlid family's Pacific slope range in the Americas. It is one of the northernmost cichlids found on that side of the continent.
Caring for the green guapote
Give a green guapote a large tank of at least 119 gal (450 L). Use a sand bottom with large rocks and driftwood for territory, and leave open swimming space. Solid cover lets a pair or tank mates establish boundaries. Expect it to dig and rearrange the decor, especially in breeding condition.
Keep the water warm and neutral to hard, at 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.2. Use strong filtration and regular water changes, since it is a large, messy fish. It is not fussy about food. Feed quality sinking pellets and frozen or meaty foods, and it colors up best on a varied diet.
Keep it singly or as one settled pair. It is aggressive and strongly predatory, so keep it only with other large, robust fish that can stand up to it. Never add anything small enough to swallow.
Males take on a green sheen over darker saddle markings, brightest in breeding condition. The pair spawns on a cleaned surface and raises the fry together. Breeding is of moderate difficulty.
Good to know
Mayaheros beani is a member of the family Cichlidae and one of the larger Central American cichlids.
In the wild
The green guapote lives in the Pacific slope rivers of Sinaloa and Nayarit in northwestern Mexico. The region has warm, seasonally dry rivers running over stone and sand.
Common questions
What size tank does a green guapote need?
A green guapote needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a green guapote need?
A green guapote is comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.2.
What does a green guapote eat?
A green guapote is not fussy about food. It takes quality sinking pellets and frozen or meaty foods, and it colors up best on a varied diet.
How big does a green guapote get?
An adult green guapote reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).
How can you tell a male green guapote from a female?
Males take on a green sheen over darker saddle markings, brightest in breeding condition.
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