Texas Cichlid

[mattlee]

i saw a blue texas cichlid at an lfs the other week and instantly loved it but from what ive read and been told they can be quite aggressive. the texas was about 6-7 inches and in a 5ft tank with 4 smaller parrots and didnt seem to bother then at all. i left the texas there as i didnt want to add it first before getting my other fish in the tank and i wasnt sure about their temperament.
my tank currently contains -
1 x 12 inch oscar
1 x 6 inch gold sev
1 x 5 inch rotkeil
1 x 7 inch diadema
1 x 4-5 inch BGK
2 x 5-6 inch jaguar catfish
1 x 5 inch L190 pleco

if i was to add 1 more fish could this suit the tank and its fish? i know its down to individual fish most of the time but are texas cichlids that bad as it seemed quite relaxed in the lfs.....?

tank is 6.5x2x2 by the way and pretty chilled at the minute with just the normal stand offs expected with cichlids

 

[Wills]

Star is the pro with Texans but just to point out there are two common species of Texas around (and more rarer species) H.Carpentis and H.Cyanagnautus (spelling on both)

Its the Carpentis that are the most community friendly I believe - they have the larger spots of blue and grow a little smaller with less of a kok. They also go by the name of Escondo Texas sometimes as well

Wills

 

[star4]

I just love these guys, i have the carpintis texas, beautiful intelligent fish, kept mine ok with the breeding pair of rotkeils & diadema, the only problems I had was when the Rotties spawned, but it was the texas helping the rotties keep everyone else away from the eggs

Never would class myself as a pro Wills

 

[mattlee]

Star is the pro with Texans but just to point out there are two common species of Texas around (and more rarer species) H.Carpentis and H.Cyanagnautus (spelling on both)

Its the Carpentis that are the most community friendly I believe - they have the larger spots of blue and grow a little smaller with less of a kok. They also go by the name of Escondo Texas sometimes as well

Wills

thanks Wills ill wait to hear from star then on this one. the shop had it labelled as just a texas cichlid and to be honest i doubt they would be able to state which species......
i dont want to rush into it as i want to let my new fish settle properly but i cold always keep it in a spare tank for a few weeks if it will fit in.

 

[star4]

Ditto Wills, carpintis have the larger patches, the other is quite small markings.

cyanoguttatus

http/animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/cichlid/texas.php

Carpintis

The carpintis also tend to keep the black spots usually just a single one (3 or 4 when little) but depending on the size it would be faint at 6-7" you should see the spot, if so its carpintis

The second pic is of mine at around 4-5" still with all the black spots
Going to finish my wc now on the texas tank

 

[kizno1]

I know how you feel. Theres a stunning 4" pair at my lfs with easily 100 fry for £10 for the pair

 

[mattlee]

Ditto Wills, carpintis have the larger patches, the other is quite small markings.

cyanoguttatus

http/animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/cichlid/texas.php

Carpintis

The carpintis also tend to keep the black spots usually just a single one (3 or 4 when little) but depending on the size it would be faint at 6-7" you should see the spot, if so its carpintis

The second pic is of mine at around 4-5" still with all the black spots
Going to finish my wc now on the texas tank

from what i recall it did have the black spots so im guessing its a carpintis but i think ill go have another look at the weekend. it was a beautifull fish and would finish my tank off well. ill let you know if i get it if its still there that is.....
cheers guys.

 

[star4]

Sounds like a carpintis then, I know they have 2 4" ones at shirley aquatics, they have been there for ages now

If you need any other info on them gis a shout and I will help best as I can

 

[england]

With cichlids mate is really trial and error, i personally with you size tank give it a try, but always air caution, they are stunning and i have seen them working just fine with oscars and other cichlids...

 

[SBL]

Good cichlid. Even if you get Herichthys cyanoguttatus, gonna be an impressive fish. Long as Keith is good with him/her, then your good.

 

[minxfishy]

Or you could have a pyschotic one like I had! Had him from 2.5", at 5" he turned into a fish killing machine, wouldnt stand another fish in the tank with him (except my ghost knife ) he even disliked me very much by the time I rehomed him, he was beautiful but nuts

 

[Timmy_Bee]

beautiful but nuts

Sounds like my wife! doubt i can re-home her.... (only kidding...)

How big do these get? and is it just a colour morph for the blue or red ones?

 

[star4]

They can reach upto 12" the cyanoguttatus is also known as the green texas, rio grand perch and sometimes green texas (when looking on the net). The carpintis is also known as blue texas and pearlscale cichlid, most places just label them all as texas. The red I believe is the colour morph but not 100% sure on that.

 

[Timmy_Bee]

well 12" is too big for me anyhow... ah well...

 

[SBL]

Red Texans are hybrids, and usually turn out pale red. I have only seen 4-5 pics of a good and bright red Texan.
My LFS have 5-6 5"-7" Carprintis, and have 20 2" Cyanoguttatus. Their cyanos usually di bc of aggression from Neighboring cichlids.