Mayan Cichlid Breeding Guide

How to breed Mayaheros urophthalmus, a hardy euryhaline Mexican cichlid that is a monogamous biparental substrate spawner.

Overview

Mayaheros urophthalmus (Cichlasoma urophthalmus), the Mayan cichlid, is a hardy species native to the Atlantic slope of tropical Mesoamerica from eastern Mexico to Nicaragua, inhabiting freshwater marshes, mangrove swamps, coastal lagoons and rivers (FishBase, Wikipedia). It is a monogamous, biparental substrate spawner that produces several broods per year.

Sexing

The species exhibits minimal sexual dimorphism, so males and females appear quite similar (Wikipedia). Sexual maturity is reached at about 13 cm, within a range of roughly 10-19 cm (FishBase).

Breeding Setup

A spacious tank with a sand bottom and flat spawning surfaces suits the species. It is euryhaline and can be bred in fresh or brackish water, surviving a salinity range of 0-40 ppt (Wikipedia). FishBase gives a temperature range of 20-39 °C, while the optimal range is reported as about 28-33 °C.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

Pairs spawn on the bottom in both fresh and brackish water (FishBase). In Mexico the species spawns over a 9-month period from March to November, particularly during the wet season, and is territorial and aggressive when breeding (Wikipedia).

Egg & Fry Care

A spawn produces a maximum of about 600 eggs (FishBase). Parents are highly protective of their young and guard the fry for up to about 6 weeks (Wikipedia).

Common Challenges

Breeding pairs become territorial and aggressive, so tank mates may be at risk during spawning. Because the species can produce several broods per year, grow-out space and timely fry separation should be planned.