Mayan Cichlid Care Guide
Cichlasoma urophthalmus, the Mayan cichlid, is a hardy euryhaline cichlid from Atlantic-slope waters of Mexico to Nicaragua.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Cichlasoma urophthalmus, the Mayan cichlid or Mexican mojarra, is a hardy and adaptable Central American cichlid. FishBase reports its native range across Atlantic drainages from Mexico to Nicaragua. It is also known under the genus Mayaheros in recent literature, and is notable for its broad tolerance of salinity.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Cichlasoma
- Scientific name: Cichlasoma urophthalmus
- Common synonyms: Mayaheros urophthalmus
Habitat
The species occupies fresh and brackish waters and is benthopelagic. It is a euryhaline fish able to survive across a wide salinity range, and inhabits marshes, mangrove swamps, lakes, rivers, lagoons and estuaries. Adults favour coastal lagoons and rivers.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L
- Temperature: 24-30 °C (75-86 °F)
- pH: 7.0-8.5
- GH: 10-22 °dGH
- Maximum size: about 39 cm TL
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
Diet
It is a dietary generalist. FishBase lists small fishes and macro-invertebrates, and field studies record plant matter, algae, detritus, snails, crustaceans and insects. It requires substantial animal matter to remain in good condition.
Compatibility
The Mayan cichlid is territorial and aggressive, especially when breeding, and highly protective of offspring. Suitable companions are robust tank mates of comparable size; small fish and plants should be avoided.
Breeding
It is a monogamous biparental substrate spawner producing several broods per year, with fry protection lasting up to about six weeks. Sexual dimorphism is minimal.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed in 2018. The species has established nonindigenous populations in South Florida.
Mayan Cichlid Breeding Guide
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.