Theraps coeruleus Care Guide
Theraps coeruleus, now placed in Rheoheros, is a current-loving Mexican cichlid from the upper Tulija River in the Usumacinta drainage.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Theraps coeruleus, currently placed in the genus Rheoheros, is a Central American cichlid. FishBase records it from the upper Tulija River in the Usumacinta drainage of Mexico, where it lives in montane, current-rich habitat. Dominant males develop strong blue coloration.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Theraps
- Scientific name: Theraps coeruleus
- Common synonyms: Rheoheros coeruleus
Habitat
It is a freshwater, benthopelagic, current-loving fish that prefers montane habitat in the upper Tulija River system (FishBase).
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 350 L
- Temperature: 23-25 °C (73-77 °F)
- pH: 7.0-8.0
- GH: 9-20 °dGH
- Water flow: strong
- Maximum size: about 12 cm SL
Diet
FishBase reports that it feeds on aufwuchs and encrusted invertebrates, mostly small crustaceans, consistent with a grazing omnivore of fast-flowing waters.
Compatibility
It is a semi-aggressive, mid-water rheophilic species best kept with other Central American cichlids or large plecos in a well-oxygenated tank with strong flow; small fish and plants are unsuitable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Data Deficient, assessed in 2018.
Theraps coeruleus Breeding Guide
Overview
Theraps coeruleus was described by Stawikowski & Werner in 1987 and is now usually placed in the genus Rheoheros as Rheoheros coeruleus. According to FishBase it occurs on the Atlantic slope of Central America in the upper Tulija River within the Usumacinta drainage of Mexico, reaching about 12.0 cm SL. It is a current-loving fish of montane habitat that feeds on aufwuchs and encrusted invertebrates such as small crustaceans.
Breeding Setup
FishBase records water parameters of pH 7.0-8.0, hardness 9-20 dH and temperature 23-25 degrees C for this species, with a benthopelagic, flowing-water lifestyle. A breeding tank should therefore offer neutral to slightly alkaline, moderately hard water with strong, well-oxygenated flow and a sand substrate dotted with rocks. The Aquairi record classifies the species as a substrate spawner of intermediate breeding difficulty, so flat stones and sheltered surfaces should be provided as potential spawning sites.
Common Challenges
Specific captive spawning accounts for this species are limited in peer-reviewed and specialist editorial literature. The principal challenge is maintaining the clean, cool, flowing conditions of its montane stream habitat while keeping a settled pair. Exact spawn sizes, incubation times and fry-rearing protocols are not documented in the sources consulted and are omitted here rather than estimated.