Regani maskaheros

Care at a glance

Overview

This is a large, robust Mexican cichlid, kept as a single fish or a matched pair and given room to hold territory, since it turns aggressive as it matures and especially when breeding. It works the bottom and lower water, and while it can share a big tank with other sturdy Central American cichlids, that only works if there is enough rock and wood to split the space into defensible territories. Its diet leans vegetable, grazing plant matter and aufwuchs, so feed a spirulina-based staple with only modest protein to keep it healthy. Given its size, plan on at least 450 liters.

In the wild

It comes from the Coatzacoalcos basin of southern Mexico, living in clear, flowing rivers over sand and stone. Recreate that with a large tank, a sand base, and plenty of rock and bogwood arranged into territories, with strong filtration and good flow. Keep the water warm at about 24 to 29 C and neutral to hard, roughly pH 7 to 8.2, in clean, well-oxygenated conditions.

Good to know

Maskaheros regani is a cichlid of the family Cichlidae, reaching about 28 centimeters, freckle-masked over pale gold. Its species name honors Charles Tate Regan, an early twentieth-century ichthyologist who described a great many cichlids. It breeds as a pair on a cleaned surface, guarding eggs and fry together, a task of moderate difficulty.

Did you know

The name closes a long loop in cichlid science: Charles Tate Regan named a large share of the family a century ago, and here one of those cichlids finally carries his name in return.

Common questions

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