CENTRAL AMERICAN CICHLIDS.
Order Perciformes
Family Cichlidae
Subfamily Cichlasomatinae
Genus Cichlasoma
— Cichlasoma trimaculatum [Gunther, 1867] — Three Spot Cichlid, Trimac Cichlid, Trispot Cichlid. Synonyms: Amphilophus, Heros, Nandopsis trimaculatus, Cichlasoma mojarra, Cichlasoma centrale, Cichlasoma gordonsmithi, Cichlasoma cajali. From southern Mexico to El Salvador. Males up to 30 cm, females up to 25 cm. High, massive body.
The main coloration is gray-yellow, may have a blue tint. Chest is pink. Fins have a crimson sheen. There are large black spots with white borders on the sides. The number of main, most distinct spots is three, hence the fish’s name. Their location: above the gill cover, in the center of the body just below the lateral line, and on the caudal peduncle. However, there can be four, five, or more spots in total. Broad dark vertical stripes may appear through the background coloration.
Males are larger than females and more brightly colored; mature specimens develop a powerful fatty hump on the forehead. Females have characteristic spots on the dorsal fin. Sex differences in coloration are more pronounced during spawning. A popular selective breeding form known by the commercial name “Flower horn” has been bred from this species.
Aggressive and territorial species. Requires spacious aquariums. Swims in the middle and lower layers of the water in the aquarium. Keep only in a group with other large Central American cichlids and catfish, which helps disperse aggression. Filtration, aeration, and weekly water changes are necessary.
Diet: small fish, crustaceans, insects, mollusks. High-quality food with a high carotene content helps achieve intense yellow coloration, as well as characteristic purple and red spots around the pectoral fins. Sexual maturity is reached at 18 months at a length of 20 cm. Young fish grow quite fast. Lifespan is 10 years. pH 6.5-7.5; dH 8-24°; T 22-28°C.
— Cichlasoma urophthalmus [Gunther, 1862] — Eight Banded Cichlid, Mayan Cichlid, Mexican Mojarra, Mojarra Castarrica, Tailspot Tiger Cichlid. Synonyms: Astronotus, Nandopsis urophthalmus; Heros, Parapetenia urophthalma. Central America, from eastern Mexico south to Nicaragua. Up to 30 cm in the aquarium. Body is elongated. Iris of the eye is golden-orange.
Coloration is gray-pink or gray-yellow with 7 vertical dark stripes of varying width. A characteristic “oocellated” spot is present on the caudal peduncle. Males are larger, slenderer, with a slight greenish tint in their coloration. Females have a yellower background coloration. Due to some similarity in coloration, C. urophthalmus is sometimes confused with C. festae.
Descriptions of eleven subspecies of Cichlasoma urophthalmus exist. — C. urophthalmus aguadae – 9 cm. Dark vertical stripes are wider than the spaces between them; — C. urophthalmus alborum – 18 cm. Very elongated body, spot on the caudal peduncle with a white border; — C. urophthalmus amarum – 15 cm. Body short, high. Background coloration dark. Distinct vertical stripes of the same width as the spaces between them; — C. urophthalmus cienagae – 11 cm. Very high body; — C. urophthalmus conchitae – 6 cm. Elongated body, narrow vertical stripes;
— C. urophthalmus ericymba – 12 cm. Large eye size and nasal openings. Background coloration changes from light to dark; — C. urophthalmus mayorum – 10 cm. Elongated body, dark background coloration; — C. urophthalmus stenozonum – 11 cm. Very narrow vertical stripes; — C. urophthalmus troschelii – 16 cm. Coloration similar to Cichlasoma urophthalmus; — C. urophthalmus trispilum – 10 cm. Distinct dark vertical stripes reaching the dorsal fin. Characterized by a higher body and the presence of three ocellated spots instead of one; — C. urophthalmus zebra – 10 cm. Distinct dark vertical stripes reaching the dorsal fin;
Aggressive, territorial species. Even small young specimens can terrorize significantly larger neighbors. Should be kept as a pair in an aquarium from 400 liters, or in a larger aquarium together with large fish capable of standing up for themselves. Digs up the substrate, especially during the spawning period, and damages plants. Therefore, it is preferable to decorate the aquarium with plastic plants, driftwood, stones, and ceramics.
Water hard to very hard. Aeration, filtration, and weekly water changes are necessary. Plant-based food makes up the majority of their diet. Spawning is in pairs, on an open substrate. Parents care for the offspring. Conflicts between the female and male are possible during spawning; if they occur, it is better to remove the male. dH 8-30°; pH 7.0-8.5; T 24-25°C.
Identification: Cichlasoma urophthalmus.
Cryptoheros altoflavus, chetumalensis, cutteri, myrnae, spilurus.
Cichlasoma salvini, Cichlasoma ufermanni. 
