Texas Cichlid, Rio Grande Perch, Pearl Cichlid Fish

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.
For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Classification:

* Kingdom: Animalia
* Phylum: Actiniform
* Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
* Order: Perciformes
* Family: Cichlidae

Care and feeding:

Since they are omnivorous the Texas Cichlid, Rio Grande Perch, or Pearl Cichlid will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake foods. They get quite large so they should be fed a high quality pelleted food and large chunk foods such as cut up beef heart and earthworms. Live guppies and goldfish will also suffice when they get bigger.

Distribution:

The Texas Cichlid, Rio Grande Perch, or Pearl Cichlid are found in the rivers and lakes of Texas and northern Mexico.

Size - Weight:

These fish get up to inches 12" (30 cm).

Social Behaviors:

They are not a community fish. They get territorial and should be kept in a species tank or with other cichlids. They will generally burrow and they will dig up plants.

Sexual Differences:

The male has a more pointed dorsal and is larger. The male will also develop the cranial hump on its' forehead.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:

These fish will swim in all areas of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:

Hardness: 8-15° dGH
Ph: 6.5 to 8.0
Temp: 70-75° F 21-24° C

Breeding/Reproduction:

The Texas Cichlid, Rio Grande Perch, or Pearl Cichlid are egg layers. They forms pairs and spawns in pits dug in the gravel. They are not as good at being parents as most cichlids, and may eat the fry. See the description of how these fish breed in Breeding Freshwater Fish for monogamist cichlids.

Availability:

The Texas Cichlid, Rio Grande Perch, or Pearl Cichlid is readily available.

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