Everything You Need to Know About Texas Cichlid Care (Herichthys cyanoguttatus)

Special thanks to Jan Wirén for graciously providing the use of his photo. The second image was kindly contributed by one of our visitors.

Introduction to the Texas Cichlid

The Texas Cichlid is a unique species, being the only cichlid native to the United States. It is a popular choice among anglers due to its striking appearance and challenging nature. Known for its aggressive behavior, it is not recommended for novice aquarium keepers. This species is found in subtropical regions, primarily in the lower Rio Grande in Texas and northeastern Mexico. Texas Cichlids inhabit pools and narrow waterways that feed into larger rivers. With optimal care, they can live up to 15 years.

Texas Cichlids come in several color variations, including Red, Green, and Blue. Their bodies are adorned with white and turquoise dots on a golden background, which darken near the caudal fin. Most Texas Cichlids also display three black bars, although some may not have this pattern.

Juvenile Texas Cichlids have a different appearance, with a grayish background and white dots. They also feature one black dot in the middle of the body and another at the base of the caudal fin.

Tank Setup for Texas Cichlids

A single Texas Cichlid requires a minimum of a 75-gallon (283.91-liter / 66.04-imperial gallon) aquarium. If keeping two or more, a tank of at least 125 gallons (473.18-liter / 110.15-imperial gallon) is necessary to provide adequate space. Fine sand makes an ideal substrate, and large rocks, bogwood, or roots should be used to create hiding places. Hardy plants can be added, but Texas Cichlids may uproot or attack them while establishing their territory. Floating plants offer additional hiding spots.

Compatible Tank Mates

Texas Cichlids are not suitable tank mates for timid fish. Only choose robust, large cichlids from similar natural habitats. Due to their aggressive nature, it is best to avoid adding any fish that cannot defend itself.

Regular water changes are crucial, as Texas Cichlids produce a significant amount of waste and are sensitive to pollution. Over-filtering the water is recommended, with weekly water changes of 30-40% to maintain optimal conditions.

Maintain the water temperature between 21-24°C (70-75°F) and a pH of 7 for ideal conditions.

Feeding Your Texas Cichlid

Texas Cichlids thrive on a diet of high-quality flakes and pellets as their staple food. They also enjoy frozen treats. In the wild, their diet includes insects, crustaceans, worms, and plant matter, so incorporating these into their diet will benefit their overall health.

Breeding Texas Cichlids

Texas Cichlids are prolific breeders in the wild. With proper water quality and a good diet, breeding in captivity can be successful. They prefer well-oxygenated water and are open breeders. Both parents care for the fry aggressively. Distinguishing between males and females can be challenging, but males are generally larger and more colorful. Males may develop nuchal bumps on their foreheads, though females can also grow smaller versions.

Females are ready to spawn at 5-7.5 cm (2-3 inches). They clean a suitable spawning site, laying between 500-1000 eggs. The male fertilizes the eggs and guards the nest. The eggs, approximately 2 mm in diameter, are tended by the female. Hatching occurs within 3-5 days. The female prepares a pit in the substrate for the fry, though initial batches of eggs or fry may be eaten. With time, the parents will successfully raise the fry. Aggression towards other fish is high during this period, and the male may even attack the female. Adding other fish to the tank can help mitigate this aggression.

Once hatched, the fry remain in the pit for 5-8 days before becoming free-swimming. They initially feed on vegetable matter but will accept crushed flake food and newly hatched brine shrimp after a week. Maintaining excellent water quality is essential for the fry's survival and growth to the juvenile stage.