It is related to the Texas cichlid, with which it forms viable hybrid offspring.

These hybrids are an invasive species in Louisiana.

[2] It is endemic to eastern Mexico where it occurs in the Pánuco River drainage, and the Soto La Marina River in northeastern Mexico, its type locality is the Laguna del Carpinte, near Tampico in Tamaulipas, which is alluded to in the specific name.

[3] It reaches a maximum size of 17 centimetres (6.7 in) SL.

This Cichlidae-related article is a stub.