Green Texas Cichlid (Carpintis)
Herichthys carpintis
The Herichthys carpintis is the iridescent jewel of North America. Falsely but commonly sold as 'Texas Cichlid' (which is actually the H. cyanoguttatus, with much smaller dots), the Carpintis sports a grey-blue or greenish base coloration literally covered by gigantic iridescent plates of neon green or metallic turquoise (hence the name 'Pearlscale'). Easily reaching 20-25 cm (8-10 inches), it is a fish of substance, with mature males developing both a bulging forehead (nuchal hump) and an explosive character. Compared to pure predators like the Jaguar, it has a stockier profile and a smaller mouth (in nature it also feeds on debris and plant material), but its temperament is typical of large American cichlids: extremely grumpy and pugnacious in defense of its territory.
Water Temperature
22 - 28 °C
pH Value
7 - 8
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
Bottom and middle
Adult size
25 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 300 L
Minimum group
>= 1
GH
8 - 20 dGH
KH
4 - 10 dKH
TDS
160 - 400 ppm
Conductivity
250 - 625 uS/cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Northern Mexico, Panuco river system. Central/North American cichlid that inhabits both crystalline mountain rapids and turbid lagoons with outcropping rocks, mud and strong currents.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Pearlscale Cichlid / Green Texas Cichlid (Herichthys carpintis). Brutal morphology: discoidal, stocky, mouth designed to smash the carapaces of crustaceans. Males develop showy nuchal-humps on the nape once adults (about 25 cm / 10 inches).
Social Behavior: Territorial predator, hyper-aggressive if paired. During the "single" phase it tolerates fish larger than itself, but when the breeding pair is formed it will wipe out (killing) anything that shares the water with them.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Wonderful: dark gray/olive background, literally covered (including the face) by giant bright turquoise and light blue "pearls". In the reproductive phase half the front of the body becomes SNOW WHITE and the tail BLACK. Males thicker.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Rocky aquarium for titans (min. 150 cm / 60 inches). Large and very heavy polished rocks to delimit boundaries; medium or coarse gravel (they dig trenches to lay). Any plant inserted will be uprooted or chewed to death.
Diet and Feeding: Opportunistic omnivore. Devouring machines: they devour live foods, shrimp, earthworms but desperately need a strong green component (zucchini or spirulina pellets) to avoid intestinal malformations (Bloat).
Water Quality: Strong, armored, almost impossible to kill through mild chemical errors. Requires hard waters (high GH) and decidedly basic (pH 7.5 - 8.0); tolerates Amazonian acidity poorly, never use peat.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Compatible only with other heavy Central American Cichlids, equipped with its same violence (Jack Dempsey, Jaguar Cichlid, giant Oscars) and large Loricariids (armored Plecostomus). Forget small fish (live food).
Aquarium Breeding: Substrate Spawners on flat rock. Once the rock is cleaned, the female can release up to 1000 eggs at once! Both parents mount a hellish guard: they will bite hands, siphons and nets that touch the water.
Risks and Diseases: The Flowerhorn. Herichthys carpintis is one of the genetic progenitors used by Asian breeding networks to generate the controversial Flowerhorn hybrid, mixing it with C. trimaculatum. Often the "Herichthys" in stores are already soiled by hybridizations.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Northern Mexico, Panuco river system. Central/North American cichlid that inhabits both crystalline mountain rapids and turbid lagoons with outcropping rocks, mud and strong currents.
Origin
Central America and CaribbeanNorth America
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- It has a highly aggressive and bellicose temperament, characteristic of many large cichlids. It will not hesitate to bully or kill fish it perceives as a threat or competition. Its aggression multiplies significantly when breeding, making it a highly challenging fish for any community tank. It is strictly suited for experienced keepers prepared to manage its intense personality.
- Diet
- Omnivore
- This cichlid is a voracious omnivore with a hearty appetite, readily accepting most aquarium foods. Its diet should consist of high-quality cichlid pellets as a nutritional staple. Supplement with meaty foods like earthworms, krill, and chopped seafood to promote growth. Plant-based matter such as spirulina or blanched vegetables should also be provided to ensure a balanced diet.
- Life expectancy
- 10-12 years
- The green Texas cichlid has a remarkable lifespan, easily reaching 10 to 12 years in an aquarium setting under proper care. Maintaining optimal water quality combined with generous swimming space are crucial factors for their longevity. The risk of disease is minimized through regular water changes and a balanced diet. Being robust fish, they can exceed these estimates in excellent environments.
- Adult size
- 25 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 25 cm. The FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) source reports a maximum adult measurement of 17 cm for this species, recorded as standard length (SL). The taxonomic record consulted is Herichthys carpintis (v25.04); male or unsexed record. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
- Sex ratio
- Group
- Males are generally larger, more colorful, and may develop a prominent nuchal hump on their head as they mature. Females are typically smaller and possess a more subdued coloration profile. They are best kept as a single compatible male-female pair in a dedicated breeding setup. Keeping multiple males in the same tank often results in fatal territorial battles.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- Adults should be fed once or twice a day with carefully portioned amounts. Juveniles benefit from more frequent feedings to support their rapid growth rate and development. Avoid overfeeding, as uneaten food will quickly foul the water quality. A varied feeding schedule ensures optimal coloration and long-term vitality.
- Bioload
- Medium to High
- This large cichlid produces a substantial bioload due to its sheer size and heavy diet. Robust, oversized filtration is absolutely necessary to handle the massive amounts of waste it generates. Frequent, large water changes are required to keep nitrate levels in check and maintain optimal health. Regular gravel vacuuming helps remove organic debris accumulating in the substrate.
- Flow
- Strong
- It prefers moderate water flow that provides excellent oxygenation without overpowering the fish. Standard canister filters or sump returns usually provide adequate current for this species. It does not require highly turbulent waters like some fast-flowing river species do. Ensure there are calm resting zones among large heavy rocks and securely anchored driftwood.
- Jump risk
- No
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- They are prolific substrate spawners that become fiercely protective of their eggs and fry. A flat rock or cleared area of the substrate is usually chosen and meticulously cleaned as the spawning site. Both parents actively guard the nest and will violently attack any intruders in the tank. The fry can be fed newly hatched brine shrimp once they are free-swimming.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Species only
- It is a highly aggressive and territorial species, especially as it reaches adulthood. It should only be housed with other large, robust cichlids or heavily armored catfish in a massive aquarium. Small fish will undoubtedly be viewed as food and quickly consumed. A very large tank footprint is strictly required to attempt any kind of community setup.
- Tank level
- Middle/Bottom
- This heavy cichlid utilizes all levels of the aquarium, but heavily favors the middle and bottom sections. It constantly patrols its established territory near the substrate and decor. It is known to actively dig and rearrange the layout, so plants and hardscape must be incredibly secure. Open swimming space above the territory is also appreciated.
Scientific Parameters & Models
FishBase
Window to the official scientific data of the species
Data synced on: 06/15/2026
- Trophic level
- 3.4 ± 0.1 se
- Resilience
- High (less than 15 months)
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.5001
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.01445, b = 3.08
- VulnerabilityLow vulnerability (11 / 100)
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
