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Texas Cichlid

Rio Grande Perch ~ Pearl Cichlid Family: Cichlidae

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Herichthys cyanoguttatus Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The Texas Cichlid is so territorial, snappish, and intolerant...it will even attack plants!

   The Texas Cichlid is one of the toughest and most belligerent of all cichlids. Also known as the Rio Grande Perch or Pearl Cichlid it is native to the waters of southern Texas (Rio Grande) and northern Mexico. This fish is the northern most cichlid and has the distinction of being the only cichlid native to North American waters.

   Despite its cantankerous personality the Texas Cichlid is sure a pretty fish, sporting shiny sparkling spots all over its body. It has all the habits that are typical of cichlids including digging, moving around the gravel, and shredding plants. They are easy to breed and are very friendly to their owner, pushing up to the front of the tank at feeding time.

   Being used to the close quarters provided by rivers, they defend their territory vehemently against all intruders. Though definitely not a good community fish, they are durable and tough enough to be kept with the Red Devil and the Jack Dempsey. They like a tank bottom of fine sand and plenty of hiding places among rocks and wood. Being a most cantankerous cichlid, they will make short work of plants and rockwork by digging a great deal. They do need frequent water changes.

   The Texas Cichlid is so territorial, snappish, and intolerant...it will even attack plants!

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Freshwater Aquarium Setup and Maintenance

Dream Aquarium Build your own aquarium The Coolest and Funnest Screensaver in the World.

Distribution:
   The Texas Cichlid was described by Baird and Girard in 1854, and is also known as the Rio Grande Perch or Pearl Cichlid. They are found in the rivers and lakes of Texas and northern Mexico. Inhabiting pools of warm water and hiding in vegetation, they sift through sand for edible food and will eat crustaceans, insects, worms and plant matter.
   Three distinct subspecies were recognized by Alvarez in 1970. These include the nominate form Texas Cichlid Herichthys c. cyanoguttatus, the Green Texas Cichlid Herichthys c. carpintis, and tHerichthys c. temporatum.

Status:
   This species is not listed on the IUCN Red List.

Description:
   The body of the Texas Cichlid is very deep bodied. It has a brownish gray coloration with bright bluish scales that give it a pearly appearance. Adults have two small black spots, one mid body and one at the base of the caudal peduncle. The juveniles have a few more spots in-between. Mature males develop a nuchal hump on their heads. This fish may live up to 15 years, though 10 years is the average.
   All cichlids share a common feature that some saltwater fish such as wrasses and parrotfish have. This is a well-developed pharyngeal set of teeth that are in the throat, along with their regular teeth. They also have spiny rays in the back parts of the anal, dorsal, pectoral, and pelvic fins to help discourage predators. The front part of these fins are soft and perfect for precise positioning and effortless movements in the water as opposed to fast swimming.
   Cichlids have one nostril on each side while other fish have 2 sets. To sense “smells” in the water, they suck water in and expel the water right back out after being “sampled” for a short or longer time, depending on how much the cichlid needs to “smell” the water. This feature is shared by saltwater damselfish and supposedly cichlids are closely related to them.

Size - Weight:
   These fish get up to inches 12" (30 cm), the females are smaller than the males.

Care and feeding:
   Since they are omnivorous the Texas Cichlid will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake foods. They get quite large so they should be fed a high quality pelleted food and large chunk foods such as cut up beef heart and earthworms. Live guppies and goldfish will also suffice when they get bigger. Feeding 2 to 3 small amounts each day rather than a large quantity once a day will keep the water quality higher over a longer time.
   A minimum 60 gallon aquarium is suggested for a single fish, a pair will need at least 100 gallons. They need good water movement along with strong and efficient filtration. The Texas Cichlid loves to dig, so make sure you have lots of substrate for them to use. Because they are avid diggers plants don't fare so well, and they will be eaten or shredded. They do not need a lot of rocks unless you have a very large tank. Be sure they have plenty of room for swimming.
   The Texas Cichlid is a rewarding specimen for the aquarist as it is easy to keep as long as the aquarium is maintained. They are pretty disease resistant in comparison to other fish. If they are in a tank with ill fish, they can contract the disease, but they respond to all forms of chemical remedies. To help prevent the notorious 'Hole-in-the-Head' disease (HLLE - Head and Lateral Line Disease) that large cichlids are prone to, do water changes of 20 to 25% a week, depending on bio load

Social Behaviors:
   The adult Texas Cichlid is not a community fish. As a juvenile this fish is a wimp. It can be kept with barbs but not any other juvenile cichlids. A Jaguar juvenile will kill a juvenile Texas Cichlid. Keep young specimens with their own kind as they will not get the food they need if they are with aggressive tank mates. Once they are older, reaching about 5 or 6 inches, they become the threat. Some of them do great in a community tank and other are terrors.
   Texas Cichlids generally get territorial and should be kept alone or as a pair in a species tank. They are aggressive toward other cichlids, especially those of the same species although they can get along with other non cichlids. As with all larger South American cichlids, room is the utmost importance to keep aggression down. They will generally burrow and they will dig up plants.

Sexual Differences:
   The male has a more pointed dorsal and is larger. The male will also develop the cranial hump on its forehead.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   These fish will swim in the middle and bottom areas of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
   Hardness: 8-15° dH
   Ph: 6.5 to 8.0
   Temp: 70-75° F (21-24° C)

Breeding/Reproduction:
   The Texas Cichlid has been bred in captivity and is known to hybridize with other related species. This fish is an egg layer and a pair will form a bond after a “jaw locking” contest between them. A large water change and a temperature higher than 72° F will induce spawning. They will spawn when the male is 4” and the female is 3”.
   Females will clean off a solid space to lay their eggs, such as a flat rock of bottom of the tank. They will lay hundreds to thousands of eggs and both parents will protect the eggs and fry. When it is time to hatch, the female will chew them out of their egg shells and deposit them in a pit that her and the male have dug out.
   The eggs will hatch in 3-4 days and are free-swimming in about 4 to 6 days. The male may be a little to serious about protecting his young and perceive the female as a threat, so be prepared to use a divider in the tank for her safely. They are not always as good at being parents as most cichlids, and may eat the fry.

Buy Texas Cichlid From LiveAquaria.com

   See the description of how these fish breed in Breeding Freshwater Fish for monogamist cichlids.

Availability:
   The Texas Cichlid, also known as the Rio Grande Perch or Pearl Cichlid, is readily available both online and in fish stores. It is usually not very expensive as a juvenile, ranging from about $5.00 - $7.00 USD. Adults in excellent breeding condition are less common and will cost more.

Authors: David Brough, CFS and Clarice Brough, CFS

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Latest Comments
I purchased 4 2" Texas Cichlids for my 120. I planned on growing them out, and keeping 2 that would be more colorful. I wound up with a breeding pair. They were all tolerant and social of each other, as long as there weren't any eggs, or fry in the tank. Here it is, 6 months later and 2 of them are now 6", 1 is 5" and 1 is 4". The only one I have a problem with, is the smallest one, because he and a Jack Dempsey I have, can't decide who has what territory. Other than that, mine were peaceful. Fish, like people, all have their own personality. Rob 2008-07-04
I did not do what a responsible owner should do, and decided to keep 2 texas cichlids in a 2 gallon tank. One killed the other one, but the one that is left has been living for...well 8 years now. 8 years seems long to me, especially since I kept it in a 2 gallon tank. Nevertheless, I love this fish! sushi 2008-02-08
I purchased Tex at 1-1/2" about 2-1/2 years ago. He has killed or seriously maimed all tankmates. I originally purchased him in a lot of three. Then after he killing his original companions, I introduced another pair about his size, same result. He's taken out two plecos and a pictus. He's ravaged two native sunfishes that were twice his size at the time. He is now almost 7" long and a loner, a wonderful pet who is genuinely excited to see me when I arise or return from work (perhaps it is because meal worms fall from the sky when I am around). He's to the point where when I add 20-25 small minnows, he finishes them off overnight. Maddog Matott 2007-04-03
I started my tank in mid december, and filled it with a number of fishes. Two texas cichlids were put in with the lot (about the same size at the time, an inch and a half). One has grown DOUBLE the size as the other, at first the larger chased the smaller, but now they just dig pits in a corner and hover there. The red devil (which is about the size of the larger texas) chases them around whenever they get too close to 'his' territory. They don't seem as aggressive as the other fish in the tank (oscars, red devil, electric yellows, etc.) but they DID pull up all my live plants in the front of the tank (the ones in the rear are fine). this is the second time I've had an aggressive tank, and the texas cichlids are a great addition. Alisha 2006-05-07
One of he only fish ive been able to add to my tank with my red devil or midas cichlid. This fish is tough, its half the size of the red devil and holds it own. Also it can tolerate higher temps and ph than listed, i keep mine in a tank with two mbuna and the midas and they all do fine together. derek 2006-03-23
Some of the coolest comments:
My Texas came from a Pet-CO "positive inventory reduction"--they give away fry. However after two years, mine has been nothing but trouble. He is VICIOUS. He nips me each time I put my hand in the tank! I've tried to feed him guppies, but he just kills them. He constantly arranges the ornamental plants, moves the gravel and air stone etc. My Jack Dempsey kept him busy for a while, but I opted for at least one clear-water tank. Simply, I've isolated him. Now he lives in a 20-gallon bath of slime. Not my fault either (unless it is a defense or a VICIOUS construct). Water polishing with a Diatom filter does not help. So there he waits, daring to bite the hand that feeds him. My Texas Cichlid is not pleasant, charming, or "pretty." He is the most aggressive fish that I have kept. WJett 2007-02-18
Texas cichlids have the same doglike characteristics as an Oscar if they are fed a good diet and given good water conditions. Mine is about 6 inches total and I have had him for 3 years. He is also one of the most beautiful aquarium fish available. My wife says it looks like he has green jewels all over him. Mine is not as aggressive as stated here, he gives a display (fins all the way out and shaking , as other cichlids do) but doesnt usually follow through with violence. michael 2004-03-17

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