CENTRAL AMERICAN CICHLIDS.
Order Perciformes
Family Cichlidae
Subfamily ( Cichlasomatinae )
Genus Cichlasoma.
— Cichlasoma beani [Jordan, 1889]. Synonym: Herichthys, Nandopsis beani. (English – Green Guapote). Inhabits the rivers of Mexico and California. 20 cm. The upper third of the body is cream-colored, the rest is olive-gray with a greenish tinge, dark dots on the scales, and 8-10 faint coffee-colored vertical stripes. There is a dark spot on the side and at the base of the tail.
Aquarium with hardy plants, plenty of rocks and driftwood for adequate hiding places, but with free swimming space. Do not keep with small fish that will become their food. The substrate should consist of sand, providing a large open area. Regular water changes and a powerful filter are recommended. Large gluttons, so feed with easily digestible dry food in small portions several times a day. pH 7.0-7.5; T 22-25°C.
— Cichlasoma bocourti [Vaillant & Pellegrin, 1902]. Synonyms: Herichthys, Neetroplus bocourti. (English – Chisel Tooth Cichlid). Mexico, Guatemala, Lake Izabal. In the aquarium 22 cm. The main coloration tone is bright yellow or orange-yellow with a golden sheen, the head is yellowish-green with blue lips, the front of the body is reddish-orange, the caudal peduncle is yellow. Large dark spots along the lateral line and on the back. There is also a black spot in the center of the base of the caudal fin. Fins have a crimson sheen and turquoise sparkles. Parts of the dorsal, caudal, and anal fins are blue.
The colors are very rich, and unlike other Cichlasoma, not only during the spawning period, but all the time. When excited, 6-7 short vertical black stripes contrast against the background of the yellow body (they disappear and appear depending on the fish’s mood). Males are larger than females, the ends of their dorsal and anal fins are more pointed, and the forehead is more massive. Males are usually much more territorial and aggressive. Sometimes subdominant males show a faint black spot under the chin. Full coloration is acquired after puberty. Fry and juveniles are light brown in color with vertical stripes along the entire length.
When breeding, they become dark black in the lower part from the mouth to the base of the anal fin. The black stripes become bright red-orange (to reddish-brown) on a golden-yellow body. All other colors also become more intense, including the blue ones on the fins.
An aquarium with many rocks, driftwood, and ceramic tubes that will create hiding places. It is better to secure all decorations to the glass bottom, as the fish are strong and can overturn them. It is best to keep them in a large and high aquarium from 400 liters, otherwise, the fish will grow poorly. Individual specimens or pairs are usually very shy and hide in their hiding places at the slightest movement in the front of the aquarium. In a group, they are bold and can be observed all the time.
These are aggressive, territorial cichlids (especially males) and tank mates should be chosen with caution. In a very spacious aquarium, they can be kept either in the company of large aggressive species or together with peaceful ones. They damage and actively eat plants. The substrate should be pebble or gravel; they look more beautiful on a dark substrate and with a dark background. The water must be clean and with powerful filtration, aeration, and regular water changes.
Omnivorous, wild fish feed on invertebrates, other zooplankton, as well as snails and algae. Vegetable supplements are mandatory. Unlike most other Cichlasoma, they reach sexual maturity only at the age of 2.5 years. Eggs are laid on a flat stone or other hard surface. Parents take care of the offspring. They live up to 8 years. dH 8-20°; pH 6.0-8.0; T 24-28°C.
Identification: Cichlasoma bocourti.
— Cichlasoma grammodes [Taylor & Miller, 1980]. Synonym: Nandopsis grammodes. (English – Many Pointed Cichlid, Mini Dovii, Sieve Cichlid). Guatemala, Mexico, they inhabit large and small rivers with fast currents and oxygen-rich water. 25 cm. The head is very large, especially in males, which looks too big for its body.
The body has a beige background decorated with small red spots. There is a dark lateral line that runs from the eye to the tail. The snout is covered with red venous stripes. Unpaired fins have a purple tint. Males have red spots scattered all over their body, while females have few and they are below the midline. Males also develop an occipital hump.
Very aggressive and territorial, should only be kept with other large fish in large aquariums. They constantly dig the substrate, moving it to the entrance of their territories. This species requires a high oxygen content. Regular weekly water changes and effective powerful filtration are necessary. The main part of their food is small fish, as well as frozen bloodworms, Artemia, krill, shrimp, mussels, and soaked pellets. pH 7.5; T 24-30°C.
— Cichlasoma istlanum [Jordan & Snyder, 1899]. Synonym: Herichthys, Heros istlanus; Nandopsis istlanus, istlanum; Parapetenia istlana; Cichlasoma istlana, fusca; Heros mento; Cichlasoma, Parapetenia leonhardschultzei. (English – Papagallo Cichlid). Southwestern Mexico, Balsas and Ixtla river basins. Males 25 cm, females up to 20 cm. There are several geographical color forms.
They have thick lips and the lower jaw is slightly longer than the upper. Adult males develop a hump in the frontal region. The head is dark green in the dorsal region and yellowish with an intense green tint on the throat. The main body color is yellowish with golden sparkles, lighter, with an intense green tint in the lower half of the body and much darker, dark green to brown in the upper, with a lot of red in the lower part as well.
A faint wide intermittent black stripe runs along the body, usually appearing as a series of fuzzy dark spots, the most prominent being the first located at the base of the head, in the middle of the body, and the last at the base of the caudal fin; the first and last spots contain blue spots in the middle. Vertical dark spots appear across the body, clearly distinguishable only under severe stress. Each scale on the sides has a blue spot, which is less pronounced in the abdominal region. The chest and belly are reddish. The gill covers are golden-yellow.
Fins are semi-transparent with blue iridescent spots and small red lines. Unpaired fins with a crimson sheen and blue sparkles. Caudal fin with red dots in the first third. During the spawning period, the general coloration becomes brighter, the upper part of the body darkens, lines form in the upper part of the flanks with 5 velvety-black spots, very clearly visible in dominants, the lower half of the flanks becomes intensely colored in red. Males are larger, with a massive forehead, and have a darker coloration. Dorsal and anal fins are elongated with sharp filaments extending onto the caudal fin.
Aquarium with many rocks and driftwood that will create hiding places. It is better to keep them in a larger aquarium, otherwise, the fish will grow poorly. These are aggressive, territorial cichlids and tank mates should be chosen with caution. In a very spacious aquarium, they can be kept either in the company of large aggressive species or together with peaceful ones. Males are territorial. Aeration, powerful filtration, and regular water changes are mandatory. They eat mollusks, crustaceans, small fish. They dig small caves that match their size. dH 3-15°; pH 7.0-8.0; T 24-28°C.
Cichlasoma salvini, Cichlasoma ufermanni.
Archocentrus centrarchus, Archocentrus spinosissimus. 
