Cenote

[duanes]

For those who might like to swim with, or see some pics of where cichlids abide

1st Cenote Cristal just south of Tulum, 100yds from the highway
no cichlids there that I could see, but small, crystal clear, cool water, full of Astynax tetras and mollies, and some large algae covered turtles

an included in the $5 entry fee, just across the highway and short walk into the jungle
Cenote Escondido, again full of tetras, larger mollies and some cichlids, looked like Paraneetroplus melanurum (syspillus), although they wouldn't let me get close enough to be sure.
Very thin looking, compared to most aquarium stock I've seen.

The ratio of tetras to cichlids seemed at least 200 to 1, mollies not quite as high

the restroom is very rustic to say the least, and if you go toilet paper is not provided.

 

[mrmann]

Nice photos, thanks for sharing them.

 

[cichlidfish]

Thanks for sharing this. My wife and I will be in that area mid December. We have a time share in Xcaret, which isn't far.


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[Ctrl_Alt_Dlt]

nice! Post more if you have any.

 

[duanes]

Cichlidfish, even closer to Xcaret is Cenote Cristalino, north of Tulum, and a kilometer or 2 south of Puerto Aventuras.
This cenote is full of mollies, some catfish, Jack Dempseys and a goby or 2.

Just a few feet off the highway, for 800 pesos a must see.

very much like the others the ratio of mollies to cichlids seems 100 to one, as with mollies to catfish.
Wherever the sun breaks thru hair algae cascades, and the mollies constantly graze, some of the male mollies were as large as full grown Rocio.

I saw very few young JDs, think they hide out in the mangrove roots, which reached down the cenotes cliffs

The adult JDs head territories between large rocks, in the sun.
Many of their mouths were full of abrasions from what appeared to be mating battles, and some old males had very tattered fins.

I will start another threaad of just JD pics.

 

[Pharaoh]

Very cool. I did something very similar to this although it was closer to the shoreline and was more brackish.

 

[duanes]

Even as far as this is inland, maybe a mile, the water did taste a bit brackish.

 

[Regalblue]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing

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[cichlidfish]

Cichlidfish, even closer to Xcaret is Cenote Cristalino, north of Tulum, and a kilometer or 2 south of Puerto Aventuras.
This cenote is full of mollies, some catfish, Jack Dempseys and a goby or 2.

Just a few feet off the highway, for 800 pesos a must see.

very much like the others the ratio of mollies to cichlids seems 100 to one, as with mollies to catfish.
Wherever the sun breaks thru hair algae cascades, and the mollies constantly graze, some of the male mollies were as large as full grown Rocio.

I saw very few young JDs, think they hide out in the mangrove roots, which reached down the cenotes cliffs

The adult JDs head territories between large rocks, in the sun.
Many of their mouths were full of abrasions from what appeared to be mating battles, and some old males had very tattered fins.

I will start another threaad of just JD pics.

Thanks I'll check that out. The resort we have a timeshare at has canals full of exc. urophthalmus. I'll take pics when I am there. I has also seen the Uros in salt water there.


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[duanes]

All the blue dots are cenotes in the area.