Theraps

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Theraps
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Cichlidae
Subfamily: Cichlasomatinae
Genus: Theraps
Günther, 1862
Type species
Theraps irregularis
Günther, 1862
Species

See below

Theraps is a small genus from the cichlidae family. They are endemic to Central America, ranging from Mexico to Honduras. Several Theraps sp. have been found across the southern United States as invasive species.

Species

There are currently eight recognized species in this genus:[1]

  • Theraps coeruleus Stawikowski & U. Werner, 1987 - Tulija River (Mexico), 12 centimetres (4.7 in) SL
  • Theraps godmanni (Günther, 1862) (Southern checkmark cichlid) - Polochic River basin (Guatemala), 30 centimetres (12 in) TL
  • Theraps heterospilus (C. L. Hubbs, 1936) (Montecristo cichlid) - Candelaria River and Usumacinta River (Mexico, Guatemala), 24 centimetres (9.4 in) SL
  • Theraps intermedius (Günther, 1862) (Northern checkmark cichlid) - Grijalva River and Usumacinta River drainages (Mexico, Guatemala, Belize), 20 centimetres (7.9 in) SL
  • Theraps irregularis Günther, 1862 (Arroyo cichlid) - Sarstum River, Dulce River and Usumacinta River basins (Mexico, Guatemala), 19 centimetres (7.5 in) SL
  • Theraps lentiginosus (Steindachner, 1864) (Freckled cichlid) - Usumacinta River and Grijalva River drainages (Mexico, Guatemala), 25 centimetres (9.8 in) TL
  • Theraps microphthalmus (Günther, 1862) - Montagua River basin (Guatemala, Honduras), 25 centimetres (9.8 in) SL
  • Theraps wesseli R. R. Miller, 1996 - Papaloteca River basin (Honduras), 8 centimetres (3.1 in) SL

Aquarium Keeping

Theraps species are very territorial and aggressive towards others, especially during breeding. They may be kept in the same aquarium with other robust cichlids and catfish with varying success. For breeding or maintaining multiple specimens, a tank of 40 US gallons (150 L) or larger is recommended. Depending on fish size, a single specimen may be kept in a tank of 20 to 40 US gallons (76 to 151 L).

Omnivorous feeders, they eat a wide variety of insects, crustaceans, small fish, worms, algae, and plant material. As with many other cichlids, they may dig out or chew up aquarium plants. In aquaria prepared flake and pellet foods as well as frozen or live invertebrates will be readily consumed. Theraps sp. should also be offered a variety of steamed or boiled vegetables, such as peas, spinach, zucchini, lima beans, or brussels sprouts.

Theraps species lay several hundred eggs on flat stones, or in a pit in the sand or gravel. Mature adults are very attentive parents and may injure or kill other fish when guarding the young (fry). Males are often more colorful and generally larger than females, and may develop a hump on the head as they age. Captive breeding is difficult to very difficult; live foods, frequent water changes, and a temperature increase of 2 to 4 degrees encourages spawning. Several artificial or rock caves for fish to hide from each other are advisable.

References

  • Conkel, D. 1993 Cichlids of North and Central America. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., USA.
  • McMahan, C. D., A. D. Geheber & K. R. Piller (in press): Molecular Systematics of the Enigmatic Middle American Genus Vieja (Teleostei: Cichlidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.
  1. ↑ Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2013). Species of Theraps in FishBase. April 2013 version.

External links

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