The Mayan Cichlid



Scientific Name: Cichlasoma urophthalmus

Common Name(s): Mayan Cichlid, Orange Tiger, Mexican Mojarra

Origin: Along the Atlantic slope of Central American

Family: Cichlidae. Subfamily: Cichlasomatinae

Species Type: Urophthalmus

Maximum Size: 16 inches (40cm)

Life Span: 12 years

Natural Habitat: Rivers, swamps, marshes, large ponds and even in some caves of Central America. They thrive in fresh, brackish and have even been know to spawn in the sandy areas near coral reefs.

Diet: Smaller fish, invertebrates (Apple snails are natural prey for this Cichlid), flake, pellet and algae. Not a picky eater.

Temperature: 76 - 82 F (24 - 28 C)

PH: 6.0 - 7.0

Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons (151 liters) 75 gallons (284 liters) for a pair or tank mates. This is a social fish and fairs better in a species or community tank with equally aggressive Cichlids.

Tank Region: Mid to bottom.

Temperament: Fairly aggressive and territorial.

Possible Tank Mates: Other Large Central American Cichlids such as the Midas, red devil, black belt, redheaded and red spotted Cichlids. Sucker mouth and armored catfish, as well as plecos will help clean up the bottom of the tank.

Filtration and Setup: They tend to be messy eaters, so very good filtration along with frequent substrate cleaning and water changes are a must. They will defend their chosen territory, so plenty of hiding places are recommended. Gravel substrate is best along with driftwood, rocks, and plastic plants. They are diggers and will graze on the leaves and roots of most plants.

Coloration: A reddish-orange base separated by black or dark olive green vertical bars. At the base of the tail fin there is a large black spot haloed in light blue and white.



Breeding: Egg layers; as parents, Mayans are highly protective of their young, and guards their fry for up to six weeks. After hatching from the egg the fry will swim down in to the substrate and attach themselves to the bottom using three pairs of mucous glands. They have several broods per year. Sexing can be difficult. Males tend to be slender a little bit longer than the females, and when breeding the males have a slightly more vibrant red, and females may have a slight greenish sheen on their flanks.