Herichthys sp. 'white labridens'

Herichthys sp. 'white labridens'

Written by Francesco Zezza Tuesday, 26 January 2010 00:00

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General  

Scientific Name or classification 

Herichthys sp. 'white labridens' (undescribed species)

 

Synonyms

none

Common Name

White labridens

Family

Cichlidae

Type Locality

Huasteca potosina, Mexico (Artigas Azas, 1992).

Etymology

Herichthys: there are two views regarding the etymology of Herichthys. The first one is that it is derived from the Greek eri = very, a lot + ichthys = fish. Though ichthys makes sense eri does not sound familiar or convincing. Most importantly the resulting proposed understanding of the family name Herichtys does not quite make sence as "a lot of fish" or "too much of a fish". The other etymological explanation, which sounds way more plausible, is that the word means a fish (again from Greek ichthys) which is related to the Heros (her-) family (type, line). Labridens: from Latin, labrum = upper lip + dens = tooth refering to the easily visible tooth they hold in the upper lips. The common name refers to the breeding white/black colouration of the fish, thus contrasting it with the one of H. labridens (“yellow labridens”).
   

Species Information

Size (TL or SL in cm)

Males up to 30 cm in TL (average sise is 20 cm), female smaller 15 cm.

Identification

Herichthys sp. 'white labridens' differs from closely related H. pantostictus (“blue labridens”) and H. labridens (“yellow labridens”) because of the lack of marking on upper – and anal – fin. The body is more slender and lacks the (green) marks on dorsal fin.


Sexing

Adult males are larger than adult females.

 

Habitat

Natural distribution 

Rio Gallinas and its affluents, Panuco river drainage, endemic to Mexico (Artigas Azas, 1992).

pH 

7.5 or higher

Temperature 

18° - 28° C

Other parameters 

Lives in clear cool waters, on a substrate of mud, sand and sediment. Large rocks and driftwood are common in its habitat while acquatic vegetation very seldom appears.

 

Husbandry  

Feeding                    

In nature it feeds on invertebrates and (small) snails which it digs up from the bottom using its fins and body. When kept in captivity it will easily accept any kind of food but it is basically a carnivore.

Compatibility

It is likely that middle-sized catfish could be acceptable tankmates. No direct, personal, experience.

Suggested Tankmates

Other central american cichlids or non-cichlids.


Furniture

See habitat above.

Recommended Tank Size

400 liters or larger.

Behaviour in
Captivity 

Provided enough room is available this fish will not bully its tankmates.

Other remarks 

 It appears that these fish are excellent parents. In June 2009, in Tamasopo Falls, San Luis Potosi, Mexico, I personally observed many a pair fiercely defending a group of “new-borns”, sized about 1/1,5 cm in size.
   

Breeding

Breeding                                                                                                            

These fish need lot of room to move about before settling down at a breeding site. Generally speaking a cave, provided for them or dug by the pair, is an acceptable breeding site. "Herichthys sp. 'white labridens' start their breeding activity in late January or February. Their breeding peak can be observed in April. Pairs mate when males and females meet and start circling each other with their fins fully extended. If they decide to stay together, they wander through the habitat swimming side by side for several days. During this period the fish exhibit their best colors, with strong blue on their fins. Pairs eventually settle on a territory, a previously excavated or natural cave. If such is not available, they look for the base of a rock that can be excavated. Pairs then dig a cave; it seems that females do the most work, using their mouths and ventral fins to dig out sand and sediment. Caves are large enough to accommodate the pair, about 10 cm. wide and equally deep. The white labridens do not form breeding colonies, but they actually form territories very well separated from each other." (2) The pair will lay up to 500 small yellowish eggs. While caring for the fry the pair will actively stir up the bottom to ensure debris gets up in the water column. The youngsters will eagerly feed upon detritus.

 

References

(1) Original reference to this fish in Artigas Azas, Juan Miguel, "The 'Cichlasoma' labridens complex", The Cichlids Yearbooks, v. 2, 1992, pp. 65-70. 

(2) Cichlidae

 

Photos by the author.

 

 

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