Rio Grande Cichlid

The Rio Grande Cichlid refers to populations of Herichthys cyanoguttatus collected from the Rio Grande river system, which forms the border between Texas and Mexico. These fish are the classic wild form of the species and display the full suite of traits that characterise H. cyanoguttatus: dense iridescent turquoise-white spotting, two prominent black blotches at the mid-body and tail base, and a robust, deep-bodied profile.

Wild-collected Rio Grande specimens are sometimes distinguished from captive-bred lines by their more intense spotting density and sharper pattern definition. They are particularly prized by cichlid enthusiasts and North American native fish collectors as the definitive wild expression of this iconic species.

Care is identical to captive-bred H. cyanoguttatus, with the same requirements for spacious housing, robust filtration, and careful management of aggression, especially during breeding.

Water: 20–27°C, pH 6.5–8.0; adaptable to a wide range of conditions; moderate to hard water preferred. Tank: Minimum 350L; robust décor; strong filtration; substrate suitable for excavation. Feeding: Omnivore; quality cichlid pellets, live and frozen prey, vegetable matter. Breeding: Highly aggressive breeding pair; open substrate spawner; brood care is intensive. Compatibility: Very aggressive; best as specimen fish or paired with other large robust cichlids.