Texas Cichlid
Herichthys cyanoguttatus
Min Tank Size
380L
Adult Size
30 cm
Lifespan
13 years
About
North America's only native cichlid, Herichthys cyanoguttatus comes from the rivers and springs of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. It's a striking fish when you see one up close: a heavy-bodied, dark-based cichlid covered in iridescent blue-green speckles that shimmer under tank lighting. Adults develop a prominent nuchal hump and can reach a genuine 30 cm, which surprises a lot of keepers who bought a small juvenile without doing enough research first.
Water conditions are forgiving by cichlid standards. These fish handle a wide pH range from 6.5 to 8.0 and tolerate temperatures as low as 20°C, which reflects their natural habitat where Texas river temperatures fluctuate considerably with the seasons. They're not delicate fish, but they do produce serious waste, so strong filtration and regular water changes are non-negotiable. A 380-liter tank is the realistic minimum for a single adult or a proven pair.
Diet-wise, they're classic omnivores. High-quality pellets form a solid base, supplemented with frozen or live foods like earthworms, shrimp, and bloodworms. They'll readily take chopped vegetables too. What you feed them matters less than consistency and variety. Don't overfeed, because the bioload from a large cichlid gets out of hand fast.
Behavior is where keepers either love them or regret the purchase. Texas cichlids are confident, curious, and deeply territorial. They'll rearrange your decor, uproot plants, and patrol their space with intensity. Spawning pairs become genuinely dangerous to anything else in the tank. For all that aggression though, they develop real personality and often interact with their keeper in ways that make them genuinely rewarding long-term fish.
Browse Shimmerscape to find real tank setups from hobbyists keeping Texas cichlids, and see how experienced keepers handle the layout, filtration, and tankmate choices that make this species work.
Water Parameters
Temperature
°CpH
GH
dGHKH
dKHSwimming Level
Flow Preference
Keeping multiple Texas Cichlid together
Texas Cichlid is strongly territorial. Multiples fight over space unless the tank is large enough for each to claim its own area. A single individual is the safer default.
Compatibility
Compatible tankmates need to be large, robust, and fast enough to avoid sustained attack. Jack Dempseys, Green Terrors, large Convicts, and Oscar cichlids of similar size can work in large enough tanks with broken sightlines. Large armored catfish like Sailfin Plecos sometimes hold their own. Anything smaller, slower, or more docile will be harassed relentlessly or killed outright. Shrimp, snails, small tetras, and livebearers are all prey or victims. A 568-liter or larger tank dramatically improves success with any tankmates. Species-only or bonded-pair setups are the safest approach.
Commonly kept with
Species this one is most often paired withCommonly tried but avoid
Often paired, but shouldn't beCare Notes
The most common mistake is underestimating final size and aggression level, with keepers buying juveniles for community tanks and regretting it within a year. Filtration must be oversized for the bioload these fish produce. Plants won't survive, so go with rocks, slate, and driftwood for decor. Substrate should be sand or smooth gravel since they dig constantly. Spawning pairs can turn on each other suddenly, so always have a backup plan like a divider or spare tank ready. These are long-lived fish, a 13-year commitment isn't unusual.
Behavior & Aggression
Texas cichlids are territorial year-round, but aggression escalates dramatically during spawning. They'll attack anything that enters their claimed zone, and that zone tends to expand as the fish matures. Targets include other cichlids, large plecos, and even the keeper's hand during water changes. Aggression is reduced somewhat by larger tanks with visual breaks created by rockwork or driftwood. Keeping them with fish that can hold their own and have space to escape is the main management strategy. Don't expect them to mellow with age; they generally don't.
Things to Know
- Extremely aggressive during spawning, can kill tankmates
- Will destroy plants and rearrange substrate constantly
- Needs a tight-fitting lid, capable jumper when stressed
- Pairs can turn on each other after spawning, have an exit plan
- Extremely aggressive, especially when breeding.
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