Rio Grande Cichlid
- Thread starter Nabbig2
- Start date
Rio Grande Cichlid (Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum)
Drawing of Rio Grande Cichlid (Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum)
Illustration © TPWD
Other Names
Rio Grande Perch, Texas Cichlid
Description
Cichlasoma is derived from cichla, the Greek word for "thrush." It means "resembling cichla." The word cyanoguttatum is also Greek and means "blue spotted." Rio Grande cichlid are distinctive in that they exhibit cream and turquoise colored spots, giving them a speckled look. Background color varies from very dark to light olive. Lighter colored specimens usually exhibit five dark vertical bars. Both dorsal and anal fins are long and tapered extending behind the caudal peduncle (fleshy portion of the tail). Unlike tilapia and most sunfishes, which typically have three spines on the anal fin, Rio Grande cichlids are equipped with five to six anal fin spines. Adult males may also develop a pronounced "hump" on the head which is not present in tilapia. Adults usually range up to about 6 inches in length.
Life History
Like most of its family, the Rio Grande cichlid is generally considered a warm-water fish, and is very sensitive to cold. In general, this fish does not survive at water temperatures below 49°Fahrenheit. The species may do well in heated water, and in spring-fed waters with constant favorable temperatures. Spawning occurs in early spring. Both parents protect their young, which feed primarily on small fish, insects and crustaceans. Adults are also known to consume large quantities of fish eggs when they are available.
Distribution
The distribution of the Rio Grande cichlid in Texas appears to have originally been limited to the lower reaches of the Rio Grande. However, a number of populations have been established in large springs and rivers of Central Texas' Edwards Plateau including the San Marcos, Guadalupe, San Antonio and Colorado rivers. Minimum temperature tolerances in the Colorado River have been measured at 57-66°F.
Other
The Rio Grande cichlid is a fine fighter, and easily caught. It is considered good table fare. The Texas state record was caught in the South Llano River in 2001 and weighed 1.59 pounds.
Drawing of Rio Grande Cichlid (Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum)
Illustration © TPWD
Other Names
Rio Grande Perch, Texas Cichlid
Description
Cichlasoma is derived from cichla, the Greek word for "thrush." It means "resembling cichla." The word cyanoguttatum is also Greek and means "blue spotted." Rio Grande cichlid are distinctive in that they exhibit cream and turquoise colored spots, giving them a speckled look. Background color varies from very dark to light olive. Lighter colored specimens usually exhibit five dark vertical bars. Both dorsal and anal fins are long and tapered extending behind the caudal peduncle (fleshy portion of the tail). Unlike tilapia and most sunfishes, which typically have three spines on the anal fin, Rio Grande cichlids are equipped with five to six anal fin spines. Adult males may also develop a pronounced "hump" on the head which is not present in tilapia. Adults usually range up to about 6 inches in length.
Life History
Like most of its family, the Rio Grande cichlid is generally considered a warm-water fish, and is very sensitive to cold. In general, this fish does not survive at water temperatures below 49°Fahrenheit. The species may do well in heated water, and in spring-fed waters with constant favorable temperatures. Spawning occurs in early spring. Both parents protect their young, which feed primarily on small fish, insects and crustaceans. Adults are also known to consume large quantities of fish eggs when they are available.
Distribution
The distribution of the Rio Grande cichlid in Texas appears to have originally been limited to the lower reaches of the Rio Grande. However, a number of populations have been established in large springs and rivers of Central Texas' Edwards Plateau including the San Marcos, Guadalupe, San Antonio and Colorado rivers. Minimum temperature tolerances in the Colorado River have been measured at 57-66°F.
Other
The Rio Grande cichlid is a fine fighter, and easily caught. It is considered good table fare. The Texas state record was caught in the South Llano River in 2001 and weighed 1.59 pounds.
Syn: Nandopsis cyanoguttatum
Photo © Animal-World
The Texas Cichlid, Rio Grande Perch, or Pearl Cichlid is one of the toughest and most belligerent of all cichlids. This fish is so territorial, snappish, and intolerant...it will even attack plants! Despite its' cantankerous personality it is sure a pretty fish, sporting shiny sparkling spots all over its' body!
The Texas Cichlid, Rio Grande Perch, or Pearl Cichlid have all the habits that are typical of cichlids. Being used to the close quarters provided by rivers, they defend their territory vehemently against all intruders. Though definitely not a good community fish, they are durable and tough enough to be kept with the Red Devil and the Jack Dempsey.
They like a tank bottom of fine sand and plenty of hiding places among rocks and wood. Being a most cantankerous cichlid, they will make short work of plants and rockwork by digging a great deal. They do need frequent water changes.
Native to the waters of southern Texas (Rio Grande) and northern Mexico this fish is the northernmost cichlid and has the distinction of being the only cichlid native to North American waters.
Photo © Animal-World
The Texas Cichlid, Rio Grande Perch, or Pearl Cichlid is one of the toughest and most belligerent of all cichlids. This fish is so territorial, snappish, and intolerant...it will even attack plants! Despite its' cantankerous personality it is sure a pretty fish, sporting shiny sparkling spots all over its' body!
The Texas Cichlid, Rio Grande Perch, or Pearl Cichlid have all the habits that are typical of cichlids. Being used to the close quarters provided by rivers, they defend their territory vehemently against all intruders. Though definitely not a good community fish, they are durable and tough enough to be kept with the Red Devil and the Jack Dempsey.
They like a tank bottom of fine sand and plenty of hiding places among rocks and wood. Being a most cantankerous cichlid, they will make short work of plants and rockwork by digging a great deal. They do need frequent water changes.
Native to the waters of southern Texas (Rio Grande) and northern Mexico this fish is the northernmost cichlid and has the distinction of being the only cichlid native to North American waters.
Family: Cichlidae
14-Day Guarantee The Texas Cichlid, also known as the Rio Grande Perch and the Rio Grande Cichlid, is an iridescent golden color with pearl highlights and white dots on its body and fins. There are several small black spots at the base of the caudal fin and along the middle, rear half of the body. The juveniles have an iridescent pearl-gray body with white dots on the body and fins. There is a black dot at the base of the caudal fin and one in the center of the body. They are also leaner in size.
The Texas Cichlid requires a tank of at least 50 gallons, with a fine sand bottom. There should be rocks and roots for them to hide among. The plants should be hardy as the Texas Cichlid will burrow around and attack them. The Texas Cichlid uses floating plants as a cover. The tank should be divided into territories using hardy plants, if possible. The Texas Cichlid is sensitive to old water and requires frequent changes of 1/4-1/2 of the water weekly. They are territorial and somewhat waspish, so care should be taken when choosing tank mates. Choose other more aggressive fish to share an aquarium with the Texas Cichlid.
It is difficult to distinguish between the male and female Texas Cichlid. The females are less brightly colored and usually smaller then the males. Older males will develop a cranial bump typical in some cichlids. Neutral water with soft to medium hardness, a pH of approximately 7.0, and temperatures of 77-82°F is recommended. Texas Cichlids are open breeders that need well-oxygenated water. They spawn on cleaned rocks, laying up to 500 eggs. The fry are suspended from stones and guarded by both parents. The Texas Cichlid is not as diligent a parent as some cichlids and may eat their spawn.
Texas Cichlids is omnivorous and will eat most prepared and frozen foods, including freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, and ocean plankton, as well as flake food and Cichlid pellets.
14-Day Guarantee The Texas Cichlid, also known as the Rio Grande Perch and the Rio Grande Cichlid, is an iridescent golden color with pearl highlights and white dots on its body and fins. There are several small black spots at the base of the caudal fin and along the middle, rear half of the body. The juveniles have an iridescent pearl-gray body with white dots on the body and fins. There is a black dot at the base of the caudal fin and one in the center of the body. They are also leaner in size.
The Texas Cichlid requires a tank of at least 50 gallons, with a fine sand bottom. There should be rocks and roots for them to hide among. The plants should be hardy as the Texas Cichlid will burrow around and attack them. The Texas Cichlid uses floating plants as a cover. The tank should be divided into territories using hardy plants, if possible. The Texas Cichlid is sensitive to old water and requires frequent changes of 1/4-1/2 of the water weekly. They are territorial and somewhat waspish, so care should be taken when choosing tank mates. Choose other more aggressive fish to share an aquarium with the Texas Cichlid.
It is difficult to distinguish between the male and female Texas Cichlid. The females are less brightly colored and usually smaller then the males. Older males will develop a cranial bump typical in some cichlids. Neutral water with soft to medium hardness, a pH of approximately 7.0, and temperatures of 77-82°F is recommended. Texas Cichlids are open breeders that need well-oxygenated water. They spawn on cleaned rocks, laying up to 500 eggs. The fry are suspended from stones and guarded by both parents. The Texas Cichlid is not as diligent a parent as some cichlids and may eat their spawn.
Texas Cichlids is omnivorous and will eat most prepared and frozen foods, including freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, and ocean plankton, as well as flake food and Cichlid pellets.
BRO, JUST SEARCH THE WEB.. all this was copied and pasted from just by typing texas cichlid in the search..