mayan cichlid
Scientific name | Mayaheros urophthalmus |
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Descriptor | Günther |
Year of description | 1862 |
IUCN category (World) | LC |
Family | Cichlidae |
Genus | Mayaheros |
Introduction
Mayaheros urophthalmus, commonly known as mayan cichlid, is a brackish water fish from the Central America.
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Who is it?
Morphology
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Average size30 cm
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Maximum size35 cm
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Longevity12 year
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ShapeOvoid
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Average size30 cm
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Maximum size35 cm
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Longevity12 year
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ShapeOvoid
How to recognize the mayan cichlid ?
The mayan cichlid measures around 30 cm. The dominant males can however reach 35 cm.
Sexual dimorphism
The adult male is bigger than the female.
Behaviour & Life cycle
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dietomnivorous with carnivorous tendency
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Sociabilityliving as a couple
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territorialNo
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Way of livingdiurnal
The mayan cichlid is a fish living as a couple naturally found near the bottom. This species is omnivorous with carnivorous tendency . Naturally, it tends to dig into the sand and transform its environment.
Although the mayan cichlid is non-territorial, it is sometimes aggressive towards other species.
Reproduction
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Reproductionovipare qui pond sur substrat découvert
The mayan cichlid is a fish ovipare qui pond sur substrat découvert.
Harmless species
This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.
Where to find it?
Conservation status of populations (IUCN)
What is its habitat?
Natural environment characteristics
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Temperature20 - 30 °C
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pH (acidity)7 - 8.5
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gh (hardness)15 - 30
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FlowMedium, Slow and Stagnant
Biotope presentation
This animal evolves in areas characterized by a strong presence of vegetation (aquatic and marsh plants, decaying organic matter, roots...).
Main recommendations for fishkeeping
Deontology
In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.
Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.
We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.
Our recommendations
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Min volume700 liters
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Population min2
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Temperature20 - 30 °C
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pH (acidity)6.8 - 7.2
Characteristics
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Difficulty breedingeasy
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Robustnesstolerant
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Behaviourmoderately aggressive
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Availabilitystandard
General reminders
It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.
In nature, animals are subject to weather conditions and live in waters with variable characteristics. The recommendations offered by our team for aquarium maintenance are a guidance and cannot be assimilated to scientific datas.
General reminder on maintenance datas
Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.
Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.
Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.
Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.
En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.
Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.
Specific needs for the mayan cichlid
The mayan cichlid is a species which lives naturally at a temperature between 20 °C and 30 °C. For proper maintenance, the temperature should never exceed the 33°C for long periods. Nitrate levels should remain below 50mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month.
Breeding this species is accessible to any hobbyist. It is recommended to follow some basic rules and to be rigorous to achieve a good maintenance.
This species is particularly common in the aquarium trade. Animals from long-term breeding are usually acclimatized at a temperature of about 26 °C in neutral water.
Builder fish
This fish has the particularity to dig its territory in the sand. Therefore, it is likely to uproot plants and modify the decor of the aquarium.
Cohabitation & Environment
In a community aquarium context, this species should be kept in a minimum volume of 700 liters.
The species enjoys a particularly vegetation-rich environment. The addition of plants will provide many useful hiding places for resting. These areas are also conducive to possible breeding in the aquarium.
Tips for feeding
The mayan cichlid is omnivorous with carnivorous tendency.
This species can eat dry food (flakes, pellets), fresh food and frozen food. To avoid deficiencies, it is recommended to vary the types of food.
You should not overfeed your residents to avoid polluting the water. For most species, it is better to feed a few small portions each day rather than one large meal.
Reproduction protocol
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Maintenance difficultyeasy
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egg-laying protectionYes
Reproduction of this species in an aquarium is considered easy. Ideally, it takes place at a temperature of around 25 ° C for a pH of 7.8 .
Hybridization risks
In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.
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To go further
Sources & Contributions
Participation & Validation
The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.
Robert Allgayer
Translation
Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.
In collaboration with : Fédération Française Aquariophilie