Mayaheros urophthalmusMayan Cichlid
(Günther, 1862)
Max length
400mm SL16in SL
The Mayan cichlid, Mayaheros urophthalmus, is a large cichlid native to eastern parts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Also known as the Mexican mojarra, it lives in swamps, marshes and coastal lagoons, can tolerate and even breed in full marine conditions, and is often seen spawning around mangroves. Territorial and fairly aggressive, it is regarded as a potential pest fish in the USA, where introduced populations exist. It is still often sold as Cichlasoma urophthalmus.