CENTRAL AMERICAN CICHLIDS.
Order Perciformes
Family Cichlidae
Subfamily ( Cichlasomatinae )
Continued…
Genus Herichthys.
— Herichthys minckleyi [Kornfield & Taylor, 1983] — Minckley’s Cichlid. Synonym: Cichlasoma minckleyi. Eastern Mexico. 17 cm. Divided into detritivorous and piscivorous morphs. Main coloration ranges from light gray to greenish-yellow or dark green. Blue or yellowish spots spread across the entire body and fins. The dominant male has a large nuchal hump. The dominant male has a large nuchal hump on the upper part of the head. In addition, it also displays dominant coloration — darkening of the body color to blue or very dark gray, almost black, and blue spots on the flanks and fins with an iridescent sheen.
During the breeding season, the male darkens to an almost velvety black color. At this time, the female transforms: her body coloration and fins become entirely white with 3-5 black spots on the middle part of her flanks, and a black spot at the base of the caudal fin. Shoaling fish, can be kept in groups in a large territory. Feed on mollusks, small fish. The male guards his territory. They dig wide caves in detritus under a rock down to a solid surface, where they spawn. pH 7.6-7.8.
— Herichthys pantostictus [Taylor & Miller, 1983] — Chairel Cichlid. Synonym: Cichlasoma pantostictum. Mexico. 16 cm. Fish with a light to dark brown head, this color extending onto the back. The chest and belly of the fish are white or reddish. The entire body, except for the belly and lower part of the head, is covered with dark brown speckles. The dots on the head and neck are located quite close to each other. On the body, there are more dots and they are less orderly.
Caudal and anal fins with dark spots and stripes. Dorsal fin edged with a red border. Juveniles have a faint horizontal broken stripe with 3-4 rhomboid spots in the center of the flanks. In addition, they have a vertical oval spot at the base of the caudal fin. This coloration disappears with age. Fish from different rivers differ in coloration.
Very aggressive, can be kept in an aquarium from 300 liters, equipped with caves formed from stones and driftwood. They feel best in medium to very alkaline and oxygen-rich water. As a rule, they fall ill if water parameters do not meet their needs, even for a short period of time. Eat snails. Both parents take care of eggs and fry. The pair guards the juveniles for about 5 weeks, up to 2 cm in age. pH 7.5-8.5; T 20-28°C.
— Herichthys pearsei [Hubbs, 1936] — Pantano Cichlid. Synonym: Cichlasoma pearsei. Southeast Mexico, northern Guatemala, Usumacinta and Candelaria rivers. 30 cm, females are smaller. Body high, stout. Iris of the eye golden. Depending on mood, coloration can vary from gray-green, yellowish-brown to bright yellow-green. Fins yellowish with a crimson tint and turquoise sparkles. Males develop a nuchal hump.
In nature, there are 2 color variations: — some have a primary prevailing green color without stripes and only the belly is black; — others have a prevailing yellow color, but it can vary from gray-green to yellow-green, a black belly, black vertical stripes, and a black spot on the caudal peduncle. Yellow-green iridescent dots on the flanks.
Should be kept in a large tank to provide plenty of swimming space, with a substrate of gravel or sand, large, smooth rocks and boulders. A very peaceful species and can be kept in a community with large fish in an appropriately sized body of water. They occupy the middle water levels. Any plants will be eaten immediately. Good biological filtration is required given the size of these fish. Plants are viewed as food. Food is mainly plant-based, but frozen foods or live food can be given once a week. They spawn in a pit previously dug by the male. Live up to 10 years. T 26-30°C; dH 4-15°; pH 7.5-8.
— Herichthys tamasopoensis [Azas, 1993] — Tamasopo Cichlid. Synonym: Cichlasoma tamasopoensis. Central America, Mexico, Gallinas, Panuco, Artigas rivers. 18 cm, females up to 15 cm. Body yellowish-green to grayish-green. In the aquarium, the yellowish color in fish disappears. The head and lips have a bluish tint, and the eyes and gills are of a light purple color.
On the body and at the base of the fins, there is a large number of small, thin yellowish-blue iridescent dots about 1 mm in diameter. Along the center of the flanks, there are 7 consecutive black spots, with the last spot at the base of the tail. Males develop a nuchal hump. During spawning, the lower jaw, neck, and belly are black. In the rear half of the body, transverse stripes appear instead of black spots.
Outside the spawning period, as a rule, they are not aggressive. Rocks, branches, and roots, creation of a sufficient number of shelters, free swimming space. Bottom of fine sand without sharp edges. Prefer hard, alkaline water. High oxygen content in the water is required. Any deterioration in water quality in most cases leads to fish diseases. In addition, introducing food rich in protein has a negative impact on condition and overall health. In their natural habitat, they mostly eat algae; in the aquarium, they are omnivorous. Both parents care for the offspring for more than a month. pH 7.5-8.5; T 20-28°C; dH 15-25°.
Identification: Genus Herichthys — Herichthys pearsei, tamasopoensis.
Herichthys cyanoguttatus, Herichthys deppii, Herichthys labridens. 
