Selection constitutes one of the means by which a breeder can select genetic traits of a population by electing the organisms that will be utilized in the reproductive processes. We stablished a family selection program for the native cichlid Cichlasoma urophthalmus, with the objective of obtaining a genetically improved population. Twenty-two families were used, starting from wild fish obtained from three different localities (Comalcalco, Centro y Centla) in the State of Tabasco, Mexico. The descendants from each family and a corresponding control group were stocked in three floating cages (2x1x1.2 m). In the first phase, fish were stocked at a density of 300 fish per m-3 and grew-up to first selection. Afterwards, fish were stocked at a density of 20 fish per m-3 until second selection. In every selection the best performing fish from a cage (10%) were selected. The best results were obtained from the Comalcalco population locality averaging 32.7 ± 0.12 g in the first selection and 231 .0 ± 0.10 g in the second . The gain obtained was 11.61% and 46.12% in the 1st and 2nd selection respectively. For the second generation a rotational breeding plan was used with the best performing 24 families from the Comalcalco population. To evaluate growth, we used the same methods and criteria applied for the first generation . Results from the second generation indicate that the fish averaged 54.0 ± 0.13 g in the first selection and 285.3 ± 0.08 g in the second. Average gain was 8.4% and 18%, respectively. Genetic selection in this native species constitutes a step stone for regional aquaculture.