steindachner's cichlid
Herichthys steindachneri
Cichlid endemic to Mexico, from rivers of the Atlantic slope, reaching 40 cm and threatened with extinction, so it is best returned to the water.
Also called: ciclídeo-esbelto, mojarra del Ojo Frío, slender cichlid, steindachner's cichlid
- maximum
- 40 cm
who is the steindachner's cichlid
Cichlid of the family Cichlidae reaching 40 cm. It is endemic to Mexico and lives in three rivers of the Pánuco basin: Tamasopo, Gallinas and Ojo Frío. It stays near the bottom and also in the water column, in alkaline water with pH between 7.8 and 8.3. The species does not migrate. It feeds on snails and smaller fish, and the female guards the eggs and larvae. Although it is threatened, it still appears in commercial fishing and the aquarium trade.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the steindachner's cichlid; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- The female does most of the guarding of the eggs and larvae.
identification
Freshwater cichlid up to 40 cm that lives only in three rivers of the Pánuco basin, in Mexico. In the same basin, Herichthys bartoni, reaching 18 cm, and Herichthys labridens, reaching 25 cm, live in the Media Luna lagoon system and the upper Río Verde, and they are smaller. Its slender body gives the species its name.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
Endemic to Mexico, in the Tamasopo, Gallinas and Ojo Frío rivers, in the Pánuco basin.
Habitat: Rivers of the Pánuco basin, with alkaline water, near the bottom and in the water column.
rules for the steindachner's cichlid
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
It poses no danger to anglers, but the fin spines can prick the hand. As it is threatened, release it quickly, with a wet hand, and avoid keeping the fish out of the water.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.02951, b = 3.03; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Herichthys steindachneri (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Herichthys steindachneriNames by country and language.
