Pearlscale cichlid

Care at a glance

Overview

The pearlscale cichlid is a large, hardy and aggressive Central American cichlid that is generally kept alone or as a single pair in a spacious tank. It becomes strongly territorial, particularly when breeding, and a pair will clear a large area and drive off intruders, so tankmates must be big, tough and given plenty of room to avoid it. It is an enthusiastic digger that moves sand and rearranges decor, so use a sandy floor and heavy, stable rockwork, and skip rooted plants that will be uprooted. Care is otherwise straightforward, which makes it a good choice for a first big cichlid. Feed a quality cichlid pellet with frozen and fresh foods such as prawn and earthworm. Plan for a tank of at least 210 liters for one adult, and more for a pair.

In the wild

The pearlscale cichlid is native to northeastern Mexico, in the Panuco river basin and nearby coastal lagoons around Tampico. It lives in warm, hard, alkaline water and even tolerates slightly brackish conditions near the coast, though it is kept in fresh water in the aquarium. Aim for a pH of 7.0 to 8.0 and a temperature of 24 to 26 C, using neutral to hard water. A durable scape of sand, rounded rocks and sturdy driftwood suits it, with open swimming space in the middle. Because it digs and redecorates, keep any plants potted and robust or leave them out altogether.

Good to know

Herichthys carpintis is a member of the cichlid family, Cichlidae, and grows to around 30 cm. It is easily told apart by the scattering of large, pearly blue-green spangles across the head and body, which are bigger and bolder than the fine speckling of its close relative the Texas cichlid. Breeding fish often develop a bold black-and-white pattern with the front half of the body turning pale. It is a substrate spawner that lays eggs on a cleaned rock, with both parents guarding the eggs and fry. Breeding is demanding chiefly because of the space and tank size the fish require.

Common questions

Related species

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• 

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• 

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• 

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• 

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• 

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