Theraps heterospilus Breeding Guide

Breeding notes for the bluemouth cichlid (Wajpamheros nourissati), a riverine Central American substrate spawner from the Usumacinta basin.

Overview

The record latin name Theraps heterospilus corresponds to the bluemouth cichlid, Wajpamheros nourissati (Allgayer, 1989), the only known member of its genus and previously known as Theraps nourissati, Amphilophus nourissati and Cichlasoma nourissati. According to Wikipedia it is endemic to the Usumacinta River basin in southern Mexico and Guatemala, where it is widely distributed in rivers, creeks and lakes, and reaches up to 22 cm (8.7 in) in total length. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern.

Breeding Setup

As a medium-large Central American cichlid from rivers, creeks and lakes, this species needs a spacious tank with a sand substrate and rockwork or other solid surfaces. The Aquairi record classifies it as a substrate spawner of intermediate breeding difficulty, so flat stones and sheltered surfaces should be offered as potential spawning sites and the water kept warm, clean and well filtered.

Common Challenges

Detailed spawning accounts for this species from peer-reviewed or specialist editorial sources are limited. The main difficulties are pairing a territorial cichlid that can reach 22 cm and providing enough space to absorb aggression around a spawning site. Specific spawn sizes, egg and fry development times are not documented in the sources consulted and are omitted here.