Mayan Cichlid (Juvenile)

Description:

Photo take in a mangrove area near the coast common in this area. The Mayan cichlid reaches a maximum standard length of 280 mm, It has interesting colors, with its eight black bands (starting just behind the eye) and its large ocellus (eyespot) on the caudal peduncle, which gives it its scientific name. It has a base color of brown to red that becomes more intense during breeding. The Mayan cichlid is capable of surviving in a variety of conditions. It is euryhaline and can survive in a range of salinity from 0 - 40 ppt, In its native range, it inhabits waters with temperatures from 18 - 34 degrees Celsius, but its optimal temperature range is 28 - 33 degrees Celsius.

Habitat:

It is native to the Atlantic slope of tropical Mesoamerica), ranging from eastern Mexico southward to Nicaragua found in mangroves and swamps.