Red Texas Cichlid (6”)

Scientific Name

Hybrid: Possibly Herichthys cyanoguttatus × Amphilophus spp.
(Note: Not a naturally occurring species—it's a man-made hybrid, commonly involving Herichthys cyanoguttatus and various Amphilophus species such as Amphilophus citrinellus.)

Maximum Size and Lifespan

• Size: Typically 10–12 inches (25–30 cm); some males can exceed 12" in large tanks.

• Lifespan: 10–15 years with proper care.

Recommended Aquarium Size

• Tank Size: Minimum of 75 gallons for a single adult.

  • Pairs or with tankmates: 125-180 gallons or larger is recommended due to aggression and territory needs.

Water Parameters and Care

• Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)

• pH: 6.8–7.8 (slightly alkaline preferred)

• Filtration: Heavy-duty filtration is essential due to large bioload. Consider a canister filter or sump.

• Water Changes:

  • 30-50% weekly minimum

  • For heavily stocked tanks or during breeding, increase to 60% or more weekly

Temperament and Tankmates

• Temperament: Aggressive and territorial, especially during breeding or in confined spaces.

• Best Tankmates (if any):
  

  • You can try with heavy caution mixing Large, robust Central/South American cichlids (Jack Dempsey, Green Terror, Salvini, Vieja), Plecos or armored catfish, Silver dollars or tinfoil barbs as fast-moving dither fish (in large tanks only). 

  • Avoid: Small, docile, or long-finned fish

   

Note: Many hobbyists keep Red Texas Cichlids solo or in species-only setups due to aggression.

Diet

• Type: Omnivorous with a carnivorous leaning

• Diet Includes:

  • High-quality pellets (e.g., Hikari Cichlid Gold, Hikari Blood Parrot (for red enhancement) ,NorthFin, Xtreme Big Fella) 

  • Frozen/thawed bloodworms, krill, shrimp, and tilapia
    
    

• Feeding Frequency: 1–2 times daily, fast 1 day per week to avoid overfeeding

Breeding

• Sexing:

  • Males are larger, more colorful, may have nuchal hump, sharper fins

  • Females may have smaller size and less vivid coloration, rounded fins

• Breeding Behavior:

  • Very aggressive during spawning

  • Lay eggs on flat surfaces like rocks or tank glass

  • Both parents typically guard eggs and fry

  • Fry hatch in 2–4 days; free-swimming by day 5–7

• Note: Many Red Texas Cichlids are sterile hybrids, especially brightly colored or flowerhorn-type varieties. Only some lines can breed successfully.

Overview

The Red Texas Cichlid is a vibrant, hybrid cichlid known for its intense red  coloration and bold behavior. It combines the attitude of Central American cichlids with the appearance of flowerhorn-like fish. Due to its hybrid origins, care varies slightly between individuals depending on their exact parentage, and not all Red Texas are fertile. They require spacious tanks, strong filtration, and owners prepared for their territorial nature.

Natural Environment

• Origin: As a man-made hybrid, Red Texas Cichlids do not exist in the wild.

• Their parent species (Herichthys cyanoguttatus) are native to southern Texas and northern Mexico, while Amphilophus species hail from Central America (e.g., Nicaragua, Honduras).

• In nature, these fish’s ancestors inhabit warm, slow-moving rivers, lakes, and streams with plenty of rocks and submerged wood.