The far northern/western systems have low cichlid diversity however this can be explained by the fact that further north their diversity is replaced by Centrarchids. H. cyanoguttatus shares a river with M. nigricans and at least 2 (large) species of Lepomis (macrochirus, aquilensis, possibly miniatus and microlophus). M. beani is found alone in terms of cichlid diversity however a few miles south you will find A. trimaculatus sharing waterways with several Vieja, Amatitlania nigrofasciata and Astatheros macracanthus. Mind you there are also 5 Herichthys in the Rio Tamasopo. Populations of several Nosferatu complex sp. are being found in the main river system. Carpintis also overlaps with pame and tepahua in the southern regions of its range.One thing I find interesting, is the lakes of Africa, and large lakes of Nicaragua, Costa Rica(Arenal) and even lakes like Peten iItza n Mexico are similar in that (maybe!) because if their vast areas) contain large cichlid species flocks.
In the great lakes of Nicaragua, Amphilophus have separated into flocks of piscarores, molluscavores, and generaric omnivores, all the while allowing space within the lakes for a number of other genera.
Lake Peten Itza sports a number of genera, as does Arenal.
Wheres as in many northern riverine environments, we are lucky to find 2 species in large riverine areas (often with separate habitat prefferences with a singe river)
Near Mazatlan on the northern Pacific coast of Mexico, Mayheros beanii are represented.
On the a slightly more southern coast of Mexico near Rio Balsas, Amphilophus istlana dominates.
And Central and eastern Mexico, the Herichthys species dominate.
H carpintus in Lago Chairel, H minckleyi in Cuatro Ciegega, and H tamaspopensis in the Rio Panuco drainage.
And in some of those area the Herchthys labridens group share habitat, but few others.
It may be the climate, or that different tributaties isolate and create species to evolve slightly different adaptations.
I find these separations and difference fascinating.
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For example, Herichthys carpintus Lago Chairel left, Herichthys tamasopoensis right.
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Herichthys (Nosferatu) pantostictus left, from the Panuco basin left.
Herichthys (Nosferatu) bartoni, more locailzed in the San Luis Potosi region, right
And the same species of Chuco intermedia below, (although quite different) and from from separate river systems in Mexico only a few miles apart.
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You received a lot of good sound advice from experienced fish keepers. Some conflictual, but sound advice from experience. Longevity is a great teacher.With all due respect my tank is doing extremely well and I went against everything most of you said truthfully. Everything is A OK and im loving my tank not a single problem at all. So I'm going to keep going the way I am going I listened to most of the stuff yall told me but I am happy with my outcome with my tank right now.. because if I followed 100% of what all of you told me I would end up with a tank with 0 fish in it just to make it perfect. Half of yall will say one thing and half of yall will say something else right now my tank is perfect and I love it
This is easily the biggest reasons why I personally kinda of gave up on forums. People who offer genuine advice for the best possible outcome for the fish yet the ones asking for advice don’t want to hear it. That and all the stupid threads regarding if X fish can beat up D fish…You received a lot of good sound advice from experienced fish keepers. Some conflictual, but sound advice from experience. Longevity is a great teacher.
Your A-ok set up has been running for how long? Yea, a week right? You have no clue bro. You do you but catastrophe is looming. When it happens you’ll just ghost us out of embarrassment, like others who don’t listen the voices of reason.
Good luck. See ya![]()
amenWith all due respect, your tank has been running for a tiny micro fraction of the time needed for a tank to actually be considered doing well![]()