Mexican mojarra
Mayaheros urophthalmus
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The Mayan cichlid lives on the Atlantic slope of Central America, from eastern Mexico to Nicaragua, in rivers, lakes, marshes, coastal lagoons and mangroves; adults even tolerate sea water. It has six dark vertical bars and a large black spot ringed with blue-green at the base of the tail, which gives its scientific name ('tail eye'). It has been introduced to Florida. It is a large cichlid, up to about 40 centimetres.
- Scientific name
- Mayaheros urophthalmus
- Family
- Cichlidae
Fact sheet
General
- Water
- Freshwater
- Group
- Fish
Taxonomy
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Order
- Cichliformes
- Synonyms
- Astronotus urophthalmus, Cichlasoma urophtalmus, Cichlasoma urophthalmum, Cichlasoma urophthalmus, Cichlasoma urophthalmus trispilum, Herichthys urophthalmus, Heros urophthalmus, Parapetenia urophthalma
Origin
- Native region
- América do Norte
Water
- Temperature
- 20–38.6 °C
Size and lifespan
- Adult size
- 39.4 cm
Behavior
- Swimming level
- Middle
- Diet
- Omnivore
Conservation and trade
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
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