TankBud

Regani maskaheros

Maskaheros regani

Also known as Vieja regani, Almoloya cichlid, Regan's cichlid

FreshwaterFish

Regani maskaheros (Maskaheros regani)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–84°F
24–29°C
pH
7.0–8.2
Adult size
11 in
28 cm
Minimum tank
119 gal
450 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Substrate spawner · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Coatzacoalcos basin, Mexico

Overview

The Regani maskaheros is a large, robust Mexican cichlid that holds its own territory in a big tank. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

The Regani maskaheros is named for Charles Tate Regan, an early twentieth-century ichthyologist. Regan named a large share of the cichlid family a century ago, and this cichlid now carries his name in return.

Caring for the Regani maskaheros

Plan on at least 119 gal (450 L) for a Regani maskaheros. Use a sand base with plenty of rock and bogwood, arranged into territories. Run strong filtration with good flow, and keep the water clean and well oxygenated.

Keep it warm, at 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C), in neutral to hard water with a pH of 7.0 to 8.2. Its diet leans vegetable, since it grazes plant matter and aufwuchs. Feed a spirulina-based staple with only modest protein to keep it healthy.

It works the bottom and lower water. Keep a single fish or a matched pair, and give it room to hold territory. It turns aggressive as it matures, and especially when breeding. It can share a big tank with sturdy Central American cichlids, but only if rock and wood split the space into defensible territories.

A pair breeds on a cleaned surface and guards the eggs and fry together. Breeding it is moderately difficult.

Good to know

Maskaheros regani is a cichlid of the family Cichlidae, freckle-masked over pale gold. It has also been called Vieja regani, the Almoloya cichlid and Regan's cichlid.

In the wild

The Regani maskaheros comes from the Coatzacoalcos basin of southern Mexico. It lives in clear, flowing rivers over sand and stone.

Common questions

What size tank does a Regani maskaheros need?

A Regani maskaheros needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Regani maskaheros need?

A Regani maskaheros is comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.2.

What does a Regani maskaheros eat?

A Regani maskaheros grazes plant matter and aufwuchs, so its diet leans vegetable. Feed it a spirulina-based staple with only modest protein.

How big does a Regani maskaheros get?

An adult Regani maskaheros reaches about 11 in (28 cm).

How does a Regani maskaheros breed?

Regani maskaheros breed as a pair on a cleaned surface, and both parents guard the eggs and fry. Breeding them is moderately difficult.

Related species