Fish · GBIF taxon 2373136
Texas Cichlid
Herichthys cyanoguttatusAlso known as Rio Grande Cichlid, Rio Grande Perch, Texas Perch
Texas cichlids are striking, pugnacious fish adorned with shimmering pearlescent spots across a deep olive body. Renowned as the only cichlid native to the United States, breeding pairs fiercely defend territories on rocky river bottoms, clearing gravel beds to lay adhesive eggs. Mature males develop a prominent cranial nuchal hump and display darkened bellies during courtship, warding off intruding sunfish and bass with flared gills.
FreshwaterTerritorialAquatic
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Crayfish
- Mayfly Nymphs
- Filamentous Algae
Predators
- Largemouth Bass
- Great Blue Heron
- North American River Otter
ThreatsHabitat alteration, cold winter snaps in non-native ranges, and agricultural water withdrawal
HabitatsWarm springs, slow-moving rivers, lagoons, and vegetated ponds with rocky or sandy substrate
Life span5–10 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderPerciformes
- FamilyCichlidae
- GenusHerichthys
- SpeciesHerichthys cyanoguttatus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Look near cover: Scan clear, spring-fed waters around submerged boulders, cypress roots, and boat docks.
- Observe nesting behavior: Watch gravel shallows in late spring where bonded pairs guard circular nests.
- Handle with care: Anglers should mind the sharp dorsal spines when handling captured specimens.
Competitor (c) Aiva Noringseth, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Predator (c) Oak Ridge National Laboratory, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Frequent Companion (c) Nick Tobler (Cowturtle), some rights reserved (CC BY) / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Konstantin Gerasimov, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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