Wild Form
Herichthys cyanoguttatus
Origin: Southern Texas (USA) and northeastern Mexico: Rio Grande and Nueces river systems
Also known as: Pearl Cichlid, Rio Grande Cichlid, Herichthys cyanoguttatus
Fact sheet
- Size
- 30 cm
- Lifespan
- 15 years
- Minimum tank size
- 350 L
- Temperature
- 20–28 °C
- pH
- 6.5–8
- Hardness GH
- 5–20 °dH
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- In pairs
- Swimming zone
- Bottom, Middle
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Jumps out
- No
- Eats plants
- Yes
Overview
The natural form from Texas and Mexico — dark body with dense turquoise-white pearlescent spotting. Base for all captive populations.
Appearance
Shared with the species: Texas Cichlid
Reaches up to 30 cm. Deep, robust body with large head. Dark green-gray body densely covered in small turquoise-white iridescent spots ('pearls'). Mature males develop a pronounced nuchal hump and intensified coloration.
Care
Shared with the species: Texas Cichlid
Tank minimum 450 L; pair needs 600+ L. Temperature 20–26°C, pH 6.5–8.0. Heavy-duty filtration. Coarse or bare substrate — they excavate everything. Robust rock and driftwood décor only.
Feeding
Shared with the species: Texas Cichlid
Carnivore-omnivore: large sinking cichlid pellets, frozen/live earthworms, prawns, feeder fish (caution). Will accept most large foods.
Compatibility
Shared with the species: Texas Cichlid
Highly aggressive. Best kept as a mated pair in a species-only tank, or with other large, similarly aggressive cichlids. Not with smaller fish.
Breeding
Shared with the species: Texas Cichlid
Large flat surface spawner; pair cleans area vigorously. Female deposits 500–1,000+ eggs. Both parents are intensely protective, attacking anything near the spawn.
Fun facts
Shared with the species: Texas Cichlid
The only cichlid endemic to the United States. Invasive populations established in several US states and internationally. Can hybridize with related Herichthys species. Named cyanoguttatus: 'blue-spotted.'