Herichthys tamasopoensis

Herichthys tamasopoensis

Herichthys tamasopoensis, which is part of the Herichthys cyanoguttatus group, was described in 1993 by Juan Miguel Artigas Azas. This cichlid occurs in the Tamasopo area, from which the name was derived.

Characteristics

Herichthys tamasopoensis has a shallower body than its congener Herichthys carpintis and also remains smaller, at about 18 cm. The ground color is yellowish-green to grayish-green. However, in an aquarium, the yellowish color disappears. The head and lips have a green color and the eyes and gill covers have a light purple coloring. On the body one finds a large number of small beautiful yellowish to light blue iridescent spots of about 1 mm in diameter, which are present in the largest numbers at the base of the fins. On the side of the body, there are 7 consecutive black spots. The anterior spot is sometimes absent. The last spot is on the caudal peduncle.

The breeding color of Herichthys tamasopoensis is quite attractive. The ground color changes to yellowish-white. The first black spot disappears and the six remaining spots develop into transverse stripes. A beautiful black color develops, running from the lips, towards the belly to the anal fin, including the pelvic fins and the base of the pectoral fins. The purple color on the gill covers deepens, as will the salmon color on the anterior part of the dorsal fin

Sexual dimorphism

Adult males develop a hump on their heads. Females remain smaller.

Related species

The most closely related species are those from the Herichthys cyanoguttatus group, namely Herichthys cyanoguttatus and Herichthys carpintis, Herichthys minckleyi.

Distribution area/Natural habitat

The distribution area of the Herichthys tamasopoensis is located in Mexico, Tamasopo, in the main stream and tributaries of the Rio Gallinas, which in turn is a tributary of the Pánuco. The Rio Gallinas is separated from the Rio Tampaón by the quite impressive Tamul waterfall.

The pH varies between 7.8 to 8.3. The water is usually clear. The water temperature varies, but is lowest in the Rio Frio tributary, where the maximum temperature during the dry season is 22°c. During the rainy season from late May to late October, temperatures can drop below 18°c.

No plants are found in the habitat of Herichthys tamasopoensis and their biotope is characterized by rocky, sometimes limestone-containing soils. These watercourses have a width varying between 5 and 30 meters. The depth can be up to 15 meters, but is usually about 2 to 3 meters. There is a moderate to moderately fast current. The riverbeds are richly supplied with driftwood.

In certain areas of this cichlid’s habitat, industry has polluted the water quite severely, wiping out all life in much of its range.

Herichthys Tamasopoensis lives together with a number of other fish. Namely the livebearers Xiphophorus montezumae, Poecilia mexicana and Gambusia panuco and Xiphophorus continens in the upper river of the Rio Ojo Frio. You will also find the well-known characin Astyanax fasciatus, a Minnow Dionda sp. and the catfish Ictalurus mexicanus. Other cichlids can also be found, such as Herichthys steindachneri (only below Tamasopo Falls), Herichthys labridens, and the introduced invasive African cichlid Oreochromis aureus.

Care

Herichthys tamasopoensis is a robust and resilient cichlid. They are best kept in fairly hard alkaline water. One pair can be kept in aquariums from 1 meter in length. This should be decorated with caves formed by rocks and driftwood. If necessary, some plants can be added, although they do not occur in their biotope.

These fish will eat a variety of foods, but since they are predominantly herbivorous in their natural habitat, vegetarian foods are welcome. In their natural environment, it was found that during the dry season, the fish mainly feed on the algae that form due to the greatly reduced water level, which increases the temperature and transparency of the water. The fish will also look healthier and more colorful at that time.

Herichthys tamasopoensis is not too aggressive in the aquarium. During breeding, it clearly shows that it comes from the Herichthys family, through its determination to protect its offspring. Although it will first threaten before taking a quick decisive attack and then immediately return to its offspring.

H. tamasopoensis can easily be kept together with livebearers, which are left alone by this cichlid and will also remove any shyness this cichlid may have. My half-grown specimens leave the viviparous young alone. They show no interest in eating them at all.

Breeding Herichthys tamasopoensis

Breeding Herichthys tamasopoensis is quite easy. It is best to place a few young specimens together and allow pairs to form. Both parents are responsible for the care of their fry. Youngsters can be raised with brine shrimp nauplii and dust food.

In their biotope, the males choose a territory of approximately 1m in diameter. Once they have secured a territory, they are approached by the females and courtship begins. Pairs will then spawn in a spawning area, usually a rock crevice, usually an area no more than 10 cm in diameter. Following this, they lay 200 to 300 eggs, equipped with adhesive strings.

After 2 to three days of fanning, the larvae hatch and are taken to the previously dug nesting pits, where they remain until their yolk sac is used up and they start swimming. The young feed on algae and detritus.

This naturally occurring breeding behavior is also observable in the aquarium, where the fish usually choose a cave formed by rocks to deposit their eggs against the side or top wall. Just like with other cichlids, I have noticed that the fry hang on the back wall of the aquarium, which is sometimes covered with algae, where they probably feed on this algae. So it is advisable to make sure the back wall is not algae-free.

Herichthys tamasopoensis is extremely rare in the hobby and I hope to make this beautiful Mexican cichlid better known with this article. The fish has a beautiful breeding color, but even the modest neutral coloration is attractive because of its many beautiful yellow to blue iridescent dots. For me, one of my favorites swimming around in my tanks.

Video

Author

Pascal Ribbens

Copyright images

Copyright (C) 2007 by Ribbens Pascal (original website no longer online)

Resources

– Herichthys tamasopoensis Artigas Azas, 1993, Een nieuwe cichlide uit Mexico, Het Cichliden Jaarboek Volume 3
– Amerikanischer cichliden II (Dr. Wolfgang Staeck – Horst Linke)
– the Internet
– Own experience