CENTRAL AMERICAN CICHLIDS.
Order Perciformes
Family Cichlidae
Subfamily ( Cichlasomatinae )
Genus Herichthys.
Inhabit ponds, lakes, and canals of Mexico and the USA. Length 16-30 cm. High body covered with small pearlescent or bluish speckles, with short dark stripes lying transversely across the lateral line in the posterior part. Body patterns vary depending on the fish species. In males of some species, a fatty hump appears on the forehead with age. During the spawning period, fish acquire a black-and-white or black-and-yellow coloration. Exhibits strong intraspecific and interspecific aggression. Herbivorous fish.
— Herichthys bartoni (Bean, 1892) — Barton’s Cichlid. Synonyms: Cichlasoma, Acara, Nandopsis, Nandopsis bartoni. (Eng. Bartoni, Barton’s Cichlide). Mexico: upper reaches of the Verde River, Media Luna and Los Anteojitos lagoons. Males 18 cm, females 11 cm. In juveniles, the body is gray to yellowish-brown with scattered black spots that condense along the lateral line to form a longitudinal stripe with faint hatching. With age, a turquoise spot appears on the caudal peduncle. Fins match the body color, dorsal fin with a pink border.
In mature fish, the coloration changes. The male’s body becomes yellowish-brown with a greenish tint. Indistinct black spots with green specks are scattered along the lateral line and on the caudal peduncle. Black spots concentrate along the lateral line in the form of an irregular stripe with a saturated black irregular spot on the caudal peduncle. In the posterior part of the body from the anal to the dorsal fin, a transverse dark stripe may pass, extending onto the dorsal fin. The longitudinal stripe of large spots and the transverse solid stripe form a “cross”.
During the breeding period, it colors yellow-brown with a green sheen. The area of soft rays of the anal and dorsal fins, as well as the entire caudal fin, shimmer from green-blue to turquoise. The upper third of the female’s body turns silver-white to ivory, the rest of the body, as well as the pectoral and ventral fins, become black with glowing green specks. Back, caudal, and dorsal fins with a bluish or greenish tint. The dorsal fin has a crimson border, while the anal and caudal shimmer from greenish-blue to turquoise.
After spawning, with the appearance of larvae in both fish, the coloration becomes more intense, with the male acquiring the female’s coloration. The male is larger, has a steeper forehead, a grayish-green body background, and a dark spot at the base of the tail. In the female, the forehead and upper third of the body are silver-white, the lower two-thirds are velvety black; during spawning, the entire body becomes velvety black. Females are much smaller than males.
Fish are territorial; pairs form at a young age from a group of fish. They stay in the middle and lower water layers. Aquarium with shelters made of stones (stones are laid both horizontally and sloping, vertically placed stones are used to divide territories), driftwood, and ceramic pots. Substrate – coarse river sand. They create a territory with a diameter of about 30-50 cm. In large reservoirs, they usually do not occupy territory outside the breeding period. Constantly dig in the substrate, can uproot plants. Plants are best taken floating or hard-leaved with a powerful root system and well anchored in the substrate. Filtration, aeration, and weekly water changes are necessary.
Fish can be fed any animal-origin food: cyclops, daphnia, bloodworms, corethra, beef liver, and heart. They readily eat plant food as well. Very gluttonous, it is necessary to alternate it; it is better to feed often, but in small portions, so that the fish are constantly in a half-starved state. Overfeeding or poor-quality food leads to gastrointestinal diseases. Mature at 10-12 months at a length of 8-10 cm. Spawning is in pairs. They lay eggs in caves up to 30 cm deep. The female spends most of her time in the cave, while the male guards the immediate surroundings from the entrance. In case of danger, the male also enters the cave and remains at the entrance until the threat disappears. dH 10-35°; pH 7-8; T 24-28°С.
— Herichthys carpintis [Jordan & Snyder, 1899] — Green Texas Cichlid, Lowland Cichlid, Pearlscale Cichlid. Synonyms: Neetroplus carpintis; Cichlasoma carpinte; Herichthys, Heros temporatus; Cichlasoma, Astatheros laurae. (Eng. Green Texas Cichlid, Lowland Cichlid, Pearlscale Cichlid). Central America, Panuco and Soto river basins, eastern Mexico. This is a large and aggressive fish. 23 cm, in an aquarium 10-20 cm.
The main background color, depending on the fish’s condition and environment, changes from blue-green, gray-blue to brownish. The entire body and partially the fins are covered with small sparkling green-blue spots on a dark greenish-gray background. On the sides, approximately from the center of the body, black spots or transverse stripes appear depending on mood. Pearlescent patterns on the gill covers. During the spawning period, the fish’s coloration becomes black and white – black posterior part of the fish’s body and white anterior part.
Mature males have a powerful rounded forehead. Females are significantly smaller in size. Females often have visible black spots on the dorsal fin. Sexual characteristics are easily distinguished only in adult individuals when the male develops a noticeable “cushion” on his forehead. Very similar to Herichthys cyanoguttatus, but differ in that the latter have smaller and more numerous spots on the sides.
Color morph: — H. carpintis “Escondido” – Has a chestnut main body color with turquoise spots. Sparkles are larger, brighter, and with an “electric” turquoise tint, with some speckles fusing to form a wavy pattern. A lighter iris than the nominal form is also noted. Young fish have 4-5 black spots; — H. carpintis “Chairel” – Have large round spots with small gaps along the head and body. The main color is black on the back and brownish on the belly. Juveniles have only 2 black spots, in the middle part of the body and at the tail root; — H. carpintis “Lahillas” – Body is black with turquoise spots that are smaller and located further apart from each other. Young fish have 4-5 black spots.
Aggressive towards each other and smaller cichlids, compatible with large fish, must be combined cautiously with other fish. Aquarium with shelters, timid. In decoration, only stones (large chunks) should be used. These fish need a separate aquarium where they can rage to their heart’s content. Hard-leaved plants are better planted in pots, as the fish intensely dig up the substrate, especially during the spawning period. The water in which fish live in natural conditions is very hard and slightly alkaline. Aeration, powerful filtration, and water changes of at least a quarter of the volume weekly are mandatory.
In the aquarium, they accept any aquarium foods for cichlids. Representatives of this species are prone to various kinds of skin rashes and boils. To avoid this, keep fish in aquariums at an elevated temperature (26-28°С). Mature at 12-16 months at a length of 8-10 cm. Eggs are laid on a smooth stone surface. During this period, the male may be aggressive towards the female. Live 10-15 years. dH 9-30°; pH 6.5-8.0; T 26-28°С.
Identification: Green Texas Cichlid — Herichthys carpintis.
Herichthys cyanoguttatus, Herichthys deppii, Herichthys labridens.
Cryptoheros nanoluteus, Cryptoheros panamensis, Cryptoheros sajica. 
