Publication2 med aquascape Publication1cs complete | Page 119

Water is very hard with recorded readings of 50
GH. pH readings are alkaline between 7.5-8.0.
Aquatic fauna is mainly beds of Lillie’s, (Nymphaea
sp.) and patches of Algae in the hot summer. The
substrate is mainly muddy with occasional sunken
wood littering the bottom.
Female normal colour phase
Fish species
There are several fish species that live sympatric
Male normal colour phase
with H. bartoni . Cichlid species include:
Herichthys labridens (Yellow Labridens) Herichthys
carpintis (Texas cichlid). Herichthys carpintis has
been introduced and unfortunately have been re-
ported to hybridise with the H. labridens popula-
tion. Other exotic species of cichlid include Tiliapia
Oreochromis aureus Non cichlid species which
include endemic and non-endemic species include
Astyanax mexicanus, Ataeniobius toweri (Blue-
tailed goodied), Cualac tessellatus (Checkered
Pupfish), Dionda dichroma and Dionda mandibu-
laris (Minnows), Ictalurus mexicanus (Rio Verde
catfish) Poecilia latipunctat and Poecilia Mexicana.
This unique ecosystem is very fragile and prone to
human disruption!
Male, spawning dress
Colour phases of H. bartoni
Females, yellow /blue phase
Yellow
Two phase
young male
females strive for dominance
Blue phase Male
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