As far as text cichlids go, yes there is a difference. There is the actual Texas cichlid and there is the Carpentis. Let me ask you, how much experience do you have with cichlids? It realistically might be good for you too get some experience with convicts or firemouths first before going to bigger CA cichlids. You can get convicts for free on Craigslist all day long. They get personality at a young age, and a breeding pair will show more aggression the most Cichlids you will ever see. It is a good starter
Any tips before I get my cichlid
- Thread starter Cichlidsforlife
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As far as text cichlids go, yes there is a difference. There is the actual Texas cichlid and there is the Carpentis. Let me ask you, how much experience do you have with cichlids? It realistically might be good for you too get some experience with convicts or firemouths first before going to bigger CA cichlids. You can get convicts for free on Craigslist all day long. They get personality at a young age, and a breeding pair will show more aggression the most Cichlids you will ever see. It is a good starter
Most "Texas" cichlids found in local fish stores are probably either aquarium strain (hybrids of cyanoguttatus and carpintus) or one or the other.
Real Texas (cyanoguttaus) in my opinion get too large for a 75, I've see males easily top 12", with height to match, although its takes a few years to reach that point.
Carpintus get that size over time too.
These days there are many location variant carpintus available from different parts of Mexico (calling them Texas is a bit of an oxymoron).
Below is Herichthys carpintus "location Chairel".
At about a year old below
Later on, after it outgrew a 75 dal
They are omnivores, that graze a lot of algae in nature, so a pellet with a high spirulina content is a good idea.
Another Texas look alike is Herichthys tamasopoensus that doesn't get quite as large, but you may not find in LFSs, only available from cichlid specialists.
there are also the similar species H minckeyi and H deppii (which has a bit more color) from cichlid specialists, are a bit more challenging to keep, and a number of line bred aquarium strain versions like red Texas etc
I also agree, educating yourself on the nitrogen cycle and different types of filtration is important.
Especially because you are choosing fish that require optimum conditions to stay healthy and look their best, and which as they grow need more water changes and care the older they get.
Whether or not Cuban or Texas, any slack off or not upgrading of tank size as the grow,can lead to disfiguring scars and at best a drab pouty look.
Real Texas (cyanoguttaus) in my opinion get too large for a 75, I've see males easily top 12", with height to match, although its takes a few years to reach that point.
Carpintus get that size over time too.
These days there are many location variant carpintus available from different parts of Mexico (calling them Texas is a bit of an oxymoron).
Below is Herichthys carpintus "location Chairel".
At about a year old below
Later on, after it outgrew a 75 dal
They are omnivores, that graze a lot of algae in nature, so a pellet with a high spirulina content is a good idea.
Another Texas look alike is Herichthys tamasopoensus that doesn't get quite as large, but you may not find in LFSs, only available from cichlid specialists.
there are also the similar species H minckeyi and H deppii (which has a bit more color) from cichlid specialists, are a bit more challenging to keep, and a number of line bred aquarium strain versions like red Texas etc
I also agree, educating yourself on the nitrogen cycle and different types of filtration is important.
Especially because you are choosing fish that require optimum conditions to stay healthy and look their best, and which as they grow need more water changes and care the older they get.
Whether or not Cuban or Texas, any slack off or not upgrading of tank size as the grow,can lead to disfiguring scars and at best a drab pouty look.
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Actually I wanted a cichlid after my science teacher currently has a convict pair in his class and I am helping out and actually the one that recommended them to him but they are shy but mean to the fry, so I imagine a larger cichlid will be 3x the fun, I like the green Texas cichlid more, but will I be able to have a pleco with it in a 75? Do green Texas cichlid swum around and are pretty outgoing, I’ve heard that Cuban are outgoing, I was wondering how big they are when they start getting outgoing
My Texas is the complete opposite. Not aggressive though but begs for food like an oscar and attacks the Algae magnet...but runs from my angelfish and convict.
I think Green Texas cichlids usually get to about 8-10 inches. Cyanoguttatus tops at about 11-12 inches
