TankBud

Texas cichlid

Herichthys cyanoguttatus

FreshwaterFish

Texas cichlid (Herichthys cyanoguttatus)
Charles & Clint · CC BY-SA 2.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
68–90°F
20–32°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
11.8 in
30 cm
Minimum tank
66 gal
250 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Substrate spawner · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
United States, Mexico

Overview

The Texas cichlid is a large, hardy and aggressive cichlid for a spacious tank. It is not a first fish, but it is within reach with some experience.

Did you know

The Texas cichlid is the only cichlid native to the United States, found in the Rio Grande in southern Texas. That makes it the northernmost naturally occurring member of the whole cichlid family.

Caring for the Texas cichlid

Plan for a tank of at least 66 gal (250 L) for one adult Texas cichlid, and more for a pair. It is a keen digger that shifts sand and moves decor. Use a sandy floor with rounded rocks and sturdy driftwood built into heavy, stable structures, and leave open swimming space in the middle. Skip delicate rooted plants, since it will uproot them.

It tolerates a wide range of temperatures, from 68 to 90°F (20 to 32°C), and even cooler spells. Keep the pH at 6.0 to 7.5, in neutral to slightly hard water. Feed a quality cichlid pellet with vegetable content, plus frozen and fresh foods such as prawn and earthworm.

Texas cichlids are aggressive and strongly territorial, so they are usually kept alone or as a single pair. A spawning pair claims a wide area and attacks intruders. Any tank mates must be large, tough and given room to keep clear.

It is a substrate spawner that cleans a flat rock, and the pair guards the eggs and fry together. It breeds fairly readily for such a large fish once a compatible pair is settled.

Good to know

The Texas cichlid, Herichthys cyanoguttatus, is a member of the cichlid family, Cichlidae. Fine, pearly blue-green spots cover its darker body, and its species name, cyanoguttatus, means blue-spotted. Mature fish show a raised forehead and a bold pattern of dark bars toward the rear.

In the wild

The Texas cichlid lives in the lower Rio Grande drainage of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. Its home there has real seasons.

Common questions

What size tank does a Texas cichlid need?

A Texas cichlid needs at least 66 gal (250 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Texas cichlid need?

A Texas cichlid is comfortable at 68–90°F (20–32°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a Texas cichlid eat?

A Texas cichlid eats a quality cichlid pellet with vegetable content. Add frozen and fresh foods such as prawn and earthworm.

How big does a Texas cichlid get?

An adult Texas cichlid reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).

How does a Texas cichlid breed?

Texas cichlids are substrate spawners that clean a flat rock for their eggs. The pair guards the eggs and fry, and they breed fairly readily for such a large fish.

Related species