exCichlasoma urophthalmus... Information?

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WinterAlloy

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jul 9, 2012
254
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16
North GA, USA
I have googled for information with no luck. I have looked at urophthalmus, red terror, Mayan cichlid, Mexican mojarra, and castirrica. With none of these names do I find neither consistent data nor many pictures. So, if you have them, show them off. Also, tell your experiences, their size, temperament, feeding, breeding, etc.

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If you go to The Cichlid Room Companion at cichlidae.com, there in the Central American section of articles, is "The Mayan cichlid, 'Cichlasoma' urophthalmus: An Overview." by Roberto Barrientos
I also have kept them, they have spawned for me, and I have snorkeled with them in Mexico.
Although some might say they are aggressive, I didn't find them overly so.
I followed one in Eden cenote in Mexico as it patrolled and covered an area the size of a football field in maybe 5 minutes, it appeared to be about 12" long. The cenote was slightly brackish, and had temps that felt like mid 70sF.

I also remember an article or 2 in the journal of the American Cichlid Assn, the Buntbarsche Bulletin, although don't recall which one, you might search and be able to access them at cichlid.org
I also found them in cenote Escondido with much saltier water, as it was nearer the sea.
 
Mine were not overly aggressive and spawned at a small size. I found them to be a fun fish to keep, though not as pretty as festae, were easier, being able to tolerate a wider spectrum of water conditions without problems. If you have the space I`d go for it.
 
Some articles I read state 15" as max size while others say 8", 10", & 12". As Duane has said he saw some roughly 12". Has anyone seem larger?

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WinterAlloy said:
Some articles I read state 15" as max size while others say 8", 10", & 12". As Duane has said he saw some roughly 12". Has anyone seem larger?

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I have seen some in the wild that looked bigger than 12" so I this this is true. Not sure about aquarium size.


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I kept my pair in a 150 tank with 3 Paratilapia polleni, and a few medium sized Vieja.
They were fairly relaxed in that tank, even after they spawned in it, but
I wouldn't keep them with anything small enough to swallow.
 
If I was nearer to you I probably take them off your hands, that aside, I find they really show color if the water is slightly brackish (3ppt(parts per thousand)), and they are fed a diet high in algae content, maybe even a saltwater fish pellet containing astaxanthin (a kelp additive would be an example) or a koi or goldfish color pellet.
jagsandpits said:
I don't really like mine. in fact im trying to sell him
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