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Texas Cichlid

Rio Grande Perch ~ Pearl Cichlid

Family: CichlidaeHerichthys cyanoguttatusPhoto © 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.

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

Geographic Distribution Herichthys cyanoguttatus Data provided by FishBase.org Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Perciformes Family: Cichlidae

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 Pair of Texas Cichlids

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.

   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

Lastest Comments on Texas Cichlid View all 19 comments on Texas Cichlid Add Your Comment

Rachel - 2010-05-16 Hi, I have a 55 gal. and have had my texas for a year and has grown from 1 in to 4 inches. We keep him with 3 tinfoil barbs, a pleco and cory catfish and they seem to get along, however my 3 sm. tiger barbs that I got last week seemed to vanish very quickly. I am getting a 175 gal. tank and am looking to find compatible/beautiful fish for the tank. Should I keep the texas solo in the 55 gal? Or are there suggestions out there for tank mates and how would I go about successfully introducing themselves to each other? Thanks- I appreciate all input- knowledge is the key to success. Click For Replies (4) smiley - 2010-05-18 Try a red devil, jaguar, Jack Dempsey, black convict, and green terror they should be fine with him and also a large plecostomus to help clean up the algae that will grow from the lights on the tank. steve rogers - 2011-02-18 They got eaten. steve rogers - 2011-02-18 They got eaten. Anything that is big enough that the perch can't eat stands a better chance. dale long - 2011-12-31 You lucky dog - 175 gal tank. Mine's only 150, bigger is better. I would do a South or Central America tank. Texas, salvina,firemouth,Convict, and any other you can find from that region. Reply

greg - 2010-09-17 i picked up a texas cichlid from portland or and she ended up mating with my green terror cichlid and now i have about 50 to 100 babies and am anxious to see what they are goin to look like cant wait. also they havent tried to kill any of the other fish, but they are picking on my 13in sucker fish. Click For Replies (3) kay - 2010-12-27 Are they fresh water fish and would they live in a 10 gallon tank ok and also are you wanting to get rid of any of them? samiran roy,india - 2011-11-05 What color does those babies have? Alex Burleson - 2011-11-05 Good luck with those fry! Reply

lawrence - 2011-09-23 i have 5 Texas and 1 month ago i got 2 of Texas become couple and they make egg. 1 weeks laters egg hatched and i got 30 Baby Texas. However , i want to know how fast this couple can do New Breeding again ? becasuse i see this couple and they become aggresive now and also same like last time that first breeding. i am not expert but first time female bottom belly become dark and it doesnot move from one Jug ( i put jug in and first time they make egg inside jug) i am in Korea and Korea have not many information about Texas Cichild... plz help me. i want to know 1. how often can breeding again after first breeding. 2. what is simpton when texas ready to breeding (before lay off egg) 3. when new baby hatch then do i keep all with parents or need remove to another tank ? Click For Replies (1) Alex Burleson - 2011-09-25 Hello Lawrence, Texas Cichlids, (though aggressive) are exciting fish to keep! As a general rule, Texas Cichlids can begin to breed 2-8 weeks after their fry have been removed. Some pairs may take a longer amount of time, while others may take a shorter amount of time. You will begin to recognize how Texas Cichlids breed. A little "ritual" between the pair will take place. The pair will lock jaws. While the jaw-locking may seem harmful, it is part of the breeding routine. The female will begin to clean off a flat surface such as a flat rock, or on the side of the aquarium! The pair will also begin to work as a team, defending that area from other fish in the aquarium (if there are any). When the fry hatch, leave the parents in the aquarium, and do not remove the fry. The parents will take care of the fry, and you will be able to witness the parents taking care of them. However, it is advisable to watch the parents. Inexperienced parents may eat their own fry. The female (and male) will pick the fry up in their mouth and routinely clean the fry from debris. They will spit them out, however. If they begin eating them, them remove the parents or fry from the aquarium. It is best to remove the fry once they reach an age of 2-3 weeks. In a "fry tank" they will be able to grow. The fry tank should be at least 20 gallons. I really hope this information helps you. For more information about Texas Cichlids, perhaps visiting Animal-World.com will help! http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/cichlid/texas.php Reply

zach - 2011-07-14 i have an 8 almost 9 year old texas cichlid that's in a 4 foot 75 gallon tank, with 5 convicts, 4 zebra cichlids, 2 jd"s,and 1 pleco, Reply

WJett - 2007-02-18 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. Click For Replies (3) Silvia - 2010-07-27 In your case remove the gravel as easier to keep clean and less trouble and mess and place a couple of clay pots as caves and ornaments as they need some type cover. If unhappy with him than give him away. Fred - 2010-08-01 Any cichlid would be mean if kept in a 20 gallon tank. These guys need at least 55 G, but preferably 75 G tanks--no exceptions. 20 G is equivalent to keeping a human in a closet and blaming him for an attitude. Moreover, the TX isn't "pretty" because the need to be happy for their colors to shine. steve rogers - 2011-02-18 I am actually from the area in deep south texas on the mexican border where the roi grande perch, as we call 'em are native. As a kid I caught probably thousands of these guys. Our water here is slightly alkaline and high in turbidity, plenty of algae. These guys are omnivorous and like warm water but can survive until the water hits 50 degreees farenheit. If you don't like your fish moving the gravel around, they like to create spawning beds if the structure doesn't suit them, then put bigger gravel or rocks in your tank. With maybe one large stone that gives them a "castle". I remember one we had in the aquarium when I was a kid that tried to eat a channel catfish fry. Ooops, the catfish stuck out his pectoral fins and lodged in his throat so we netted him and pulled the cat out with some forceups. Perch lived. Really they do better outside if temps allow in a fishpond where they will pair up and defend their turf against interlopers. The pair will be great parents of the fry and are quit easy to hook on a bare hook or fly because they see a potential nest raider and will swim over grab the hook and swim off with it to deposit it away from the nest. Have never ate them, maybe it's cause the flesh is a light green color. The old males are quite striking in coloration and darken and gain contrast as spawning season approaches. That's usually as the water temp hits 80 degrees farenheit. The female always more diminutive will darken some too, but to a lesser degree. My fondest memory is of a morning in may when I was about 6 years old dangling a fishingline with a safety pin attached and a beetle for bait that was much too large but had about 50 rio grande perch captivated. This went on for several hours and not a single taker, except for some nibbles. Bent over the edge of the concrete like that staring into the water I got my first sunburn and blistered my back. Ouch, a lesson in common sense for a 6 year old country boy in edinburg texas. Reply

shelby - 2010-03-09 We had two texas cichlids, two convict cichlids, and a green terror in the tank. the convict cichlids laid eggs but the texas male ate all of them. then once the texas cichlids laid eggs the male killed all of the other fish including his mate and now we only have the texas cichlid male and about 200 babies. if anyone is interested in buying them i live near janesville, you would have to come and pick them up but if ur interested u can e-mail me missymoo14@yahoo.com thanks Reply

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