Texas cichlids live in rivers and lagoons with clear water and normally sandy substrates.

During the breeding period, the female takes care of the eggs and fry and the male defends the territory against aggressors. The Texas cichlid is quite interesting in terms of its colouring, as this depends on the phase it is in. Normally it is a grey cichlid, with blue or metallic green spots. In the mating or courtship stage, the male takes on colours that are very characteristic of this species, turning white from the head to half of the body and the other half dark.