Herichthys cyanoguttatus can grow to be over 13 in (33 cm) and are differentiated by their distinctive characteristics and specific habitat needs.

[5][7] Prior to spawning, a site, generally consisting of rocks in water less than 30 cm deep, is chosen by both parents and cleaned by nipping the surface.

[6]The fry form a small group that slowly moves around the territory with the parents stationed in the middle.

The cichlid is a "deliberate hunter" and it depends on the camouflage of its skin in order to sneak up on its prey.

The cichlid also drives other fish into open areas, which lowers the population count of the other species through incidental predation.

The cichlid is a pioneer species that paves the way for other fish to invade, which has occurred in Six Mile Creek, Florida, and in the upper San Antonio River, Texas.

[5] It is believed that this fish has entered into the New Orleans area through multiple aquarium releases in central Jefferson Parish in 1989.

Herichthys cyanoguttatus has been present in natural and degraded habitats of the Greater New Orleans Metropolitan Area for at least 20 years.

The cichlid acts aggressively toward native largemouth bass, western mosquitofish, sailfin mollies, and blue crabs.

The Texas cichlid was largely unaffected by abiotic events like Hurricanes Katrina and Rita because of its high tolerance for salt-water intake.

In fact, if the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries did not routinely re-stock several midsized species, it is likely that the cichlid would have eliminated these fish too.

[7] Because of this, there is even a competition at the City Park Big Bass Fishing Rodeo & Fishtival[16] to catch the most cichlids, sunfish and crappie.

According to a fisherman Joe Adams, who participates in the competition, Despite these efforts, there is practically no chance of eradicating this fish from New Orleans' waters, mainly because of its quick mating cycle.

They are regularly targeted in both South Texas, where they are known as "Rio Grande cichlid" and Northern Mexico, where they are known as "Mojarra de Norte".

They fight similarly to bluegill sunfish, making tight circles and then darting off in a broadsided run.