Pearlscale Cichlid Care Guide
Herichthys carpintis is a Mexican cichlid with pearl-blue scale spotting, native to the Panuco and Soto la Marina drainages, aggressive and territorial.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Herichthys carpintis is a Central American cichlid described by Jordan and Snyder in 1899. FishBase lists a standard length up to 17 cm. It is noted for bright pearl-blue spotting across the scales. Like other Herichthys it is an aggressive, territorial substrate spawner.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Herichthys
- Scientific name: Herichthys carpintis
- Authority: Jordan & Snyder, 1899
Habitat
The species is native to the Atlantic slope of Mexico, in the Panuco River drainage and the Soto la Marina River. It is a freshwater, benthopelagic fish that occurs in both fast-flowing rivers and still waters.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L
- Temperature: 23-28 °C (73-82 °F)
- pH: 7.0-8.0
- GH: 9-18 °dGH
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
- Provide open swimming space with rock cover
Diet
Herichthys carpintis is an omnivore, placed by FishBase at a trophic level of about 3.4. In the aquarium it accepts a varied diet of quality prepared foods together with meaty and vegetable items.
Compatibility
The species is aggressive and territorial, especially when breeding. It is best kept with other large, robust Central American cichlids or large plecos and should not be combined with small fishes. It will dig and uproot plants, so a hardscape-based layout is preferable.
Breeding
It is a biparental substrate spawner. FishBase notes that both parents tend the clutch, the female caring for the eggs while the male defends the territory.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2018).
Herichthys carpintis Breeding Guide
Overview
Herichthys carpintis, the pearlscale cichlid, is a large Mexican cichlid from the Panuco drainage lagoons of northern Mexico, reaching up to about 30 cm. It is a biparental substrate spawner that becomes very territorial and sometimes aggressive when breeding.
Sexing
The female has a black blotch on the dorsal fin and is usually longer and deeper-bodied than the male. During breeding both sexes change colour to a striking black at the rear of the body and white at the front.
Conditioning
Seriously Fish gives a temperature of about 24-26 C, pH around 7.0 and hardness of 8-14 dGH. The species begins breeding at around 3 to 4 inches. Good water quality and a varied diet bring fish into condition.
Breeding Setup
- Provide flat smooth surfaces such as rock or slate, plus flower pots, as spawning sites.
- Use sand substrate so the pair can excavate pits.
- Provide a large tank; a minimum around 213 L (about 48 inches long) suits a pair, and bigger is better for this large, territorial fish.
- Consider a tank divider in case the male becomes aggressive toward the female.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The pair bonds and displays to each other, circling and flapping their tails, then cleans a spawning site. The female lays anywhere from 150 to 1,000 eggs for a large pair, and the male moves in to fertilise them. Both parents fan the eggs with their pelvic fins to supply oxygen.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs can take up to 2 days to hatch, and the fry become free-swimming up to a week later. Both parents guard and care for eggs and fry.
Common Challenges
These fish can be very territorial and downright aggressive when breeding, and small fish may be treated as food. The male may turn on the female, so monitor the pair and be ready to use a divider.