Biologist, Freshwater Fish Researcher and Aquarist
Rubén Contreras is a biologist and freshwater fish researcher from Mexico, with a strong interest in the biology, development, reproduction and conservation of Central American freshwater fishes. He holds an MSc in Applied Ecology and a PhD in Biological Sciences from the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico. His research is focused particularly on the embryonic and larval development, feeding biology and life-history traits of freshwater fishes, especially cichlids and profundulid killifishes.
His research has included several species of cichlids, including Cryptoheros and Vieja, as well as the endangered Chiapas killifish Tlaloc hildebrandi. His work combines laboratory studies with field observations, including research on reproduction, larval development, feeding ecology and life-history characteristics. His recent research on Tlaloc hildebrandi has focused on development, reproduction, life history and diet, contributing to the understanding of this endangered species and to conservation efforts.
Rubén has also been an aquarist since the age of seven. Although cichlids have been his principal interest throughout most of his life, he has maintained and bred a wide variety of freshwater fishes, and currently keeps Central American and Malagasy cichlids, poeciliids, goodeids and profundulid killifishes. His long-term experience with aquarium husbandry gives him a practical understanding of fish behavior, reproduction, environmental requirements and the challenges involved in maintaining freshwater species in captivity.
His interest in natural aquatic ecosystems extends beyond aquarium keeping. He has conducted fieldwork and fish collecting in several regions of Mexico, including Veracruz, Oaxaca, Tabasco, Chiapas, Yucatán, Quintana Roo, Campeche and Guerrero. He has explored and studied streams, rivers, lakes, lagoons and wetlands, and conducted limnological assessments and studies of zooplankton.
Since 2019, Rubén has also been part of WCichlidCulture, a project dedicated to documenting and sharing information about cichlids from Mexico and Central America. The project combines photographs of fishes in their natural habitats with images and information about their environments, including habitat characteristics, river structure and surrounding landscapes.
Conservation is an increasingly important component of his work. He is currently involved in conservation-oriented research on profundulid fishes, particularly Tlaloc hildebrandi, combining captive reproduction, developmental biology, natural history and ecological information to contribute to the conservation of threatened freshwater fishes. His work on the species has included the study of reproduction, larval development, life-history characteristics and diet, both under captive conditions and in relation to natural populations.
Expert in the following geographical regions:
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Central America
Expert in the following fish groups:
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Cyprinodontiformes: Profundulidae
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Cichliformes: Cichlidae