LEANDER, Texas — Officials are warning anglers about a beautiful exotic fish recently caught in Central Texas. The aulonocara species of fish, better known as Peacock Cichlids, are native to ...

Texas Parks and Wildlife officials noted the fish was likely an "aquarium-released" fish and reminded Texans to never dump their tank. Cichlids aren't the only fish to watch out for.

Common in aquarium trade African peacock cichlids, or aulonocara, are fish from East Africa and commonly found in the aquarium trade, according to McDonnell. They are not native to Texas.

There are 22 types of Peacock Cichlids that are popular for aquariums because of their vibrant colors, according to Live Fish Direct. The males have bolder, brighter colors and that's why they're ...

A vibrant and potentially destructive non-native fish was recently caught in Texas for the first time, wildlife officials warn. The invasive fish, a hybrid peacock cichlid, was pulled out of the ...

Rio Grande cichlid may grow to exceed 10 inches in length. The Texas state record measured 2.02 lbs and just over 11 inches long, caught by Chuck Dewey on Lake Dunlop (Guadalupe River) in 2011.

That includes the San Marcos, Guadalupe, San Antonio and Colorado rivers. The Texas state record for the Rio Grande cichlid was caught at Lake Dunlap near New Braunfels and weighed 2.02 pounds.

Earlier this month, Texas angler Jose Cruz earned TPWD's Big Fish Award for catching and releasing a 10.25-inch Rio Grande cichlid, which is native to Texas, while fishing in the San Antonio river.