Abstract: This profile reviews the taxonomy, distribution, habitat, biology, and aquarium care of Herichthys minckleyi, an endemic cichlid of the Cuatro Ciénegas basin in northern Mexico. Particular attention is given to its extraordinary trophic polymorphism, in which distinct body and pharyngeal-jaw forms coexist within a single interbreeding species and exploit different food resources. The account also discusses habitat specialization, reproductive behavior, sexual dimorphism, parental care, and husbandry in captivity. Its evolutionary history is examined through morphological, ecological, and genetic studies, including recent genomic evidence supporting a single polymorphic species despite striking differences among feeding forms. Conservation concerns associated with the highly restricted and vulnerable Cuatro Ciénegas ecosystem are also considered.

ZooBank:B610859A-C8E2-4378-B89E-26B6CD27F0D9.

Original description as Cichlasoma minckleyi:

Kornfield, Irv & J. Taylor. 1983. "A new species of polymorphic fish Cichlasoma minckleyi, from Cuatro Ciénegas, Mexico (Teleostei: Cichlidae)". Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 96(2):p 253-269 - (ffm00031)