Herichthys feeding

[duanes]

"Feeding ecomorphologies in the fish genus Herichthys (Perciformes: Cichlidae) based on stomach content and lower pharyngeal jaw shape"
I read the article above today, and found it very interesting that Herichthys cyannoguttatus, deppei, and bartoni, are predominantly algae and detritus eaters in nature, with some locations of carpintus in the same category, while the location variants showed other feeding propensities.
I recommend anyone keeping Herichthys of any species find, read download it.
And consider its findings when feeding your Texans meaty food.

 

[MrsE88]

I find it so interesting how much algae and vegetation cichlids I thought were almost exclusively carnivorous really eat.

 

[duanes]

There seem to be very few strictly carnivorous cichlids in Central America, Parachromis and Petenia (and maybe a smattering more) of course.
But most are omnivores and a few like Vieja, Cincilichthys, and now the study shows some maybe many Herichthys are predominantly vegetarian, and detrivores.
I believe many aquarists are doing a dis-service feeding these cichlid genera things like Tilapia fillets, or worse beef hearst, which they have not evolved to easily process, or get the macro, micro nutrients and fiber they require.