[Ebook] Encyclopedia of Aquarium & Pond Fish – Directory of Freshwater Fish – Cichlids

Directory of Freshwater Fish

Cichlids

This large group of fish (the name of which is pronounced “sick-lids”) originates mainly from Central and South America and Africa, although three species (including one recent rediscovery) are known to come from Asia. The characteristics and requirements of cichlids are as diverse as their origins, and most make excellent pets. Some individuals may learn to recognize their owner and even become tame enough to take food from the hand. The breeding behavior of many cichlids is fascinating, because these fish typically display strong parental instincts. Their care of the young can be observed closely in aquarium surroundings.

Jack Dempsey Cichlid (Rocio octofasciata)

• ORIGINS: Central America, occurring on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula and in Guatemala and Honduras.
• SIZE: 8 in (20 cm).
• DIET: Prepared cichlid foods, algae, and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 72–77°F (22–25°C); hard (100–150 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Intolerant and aggressive.

Named after the late American boxer because of its pugnacious nature, the Jack Dempsey Cichlid displays a series of variable turquoise and yellowish markings over its body. Sexing can be done on the basis of the fins: in males, the anal and dorsal fins have pointed tips, with the latter displaying red edging, too. Pairs look after their young together, corralling them at first in special spawning pits excavated in the substrate. The eggs, numbering as many as 800, are laid on cleaned rockwork.

Midas Cichlid (Amphilophus citrinellus)

• ORIGINS: Central America, occurring in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras.
• SIZE: 12 in (30 cm).
• DIET: Prepared cichlid foods and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 70–77°F (21–25°C); hard (100–150 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Aggressive, destructive, and territorial.

The Midas gets its name from its gold coloration. Males develop a pronounced swelling, known as a nuchal hump, on the head. Pairs should be housed on their own in a large, sparsely decorated tank. Include rockwork, which will serve as a spawning site. Partial water changes will mimic the rains that trigger spawning activity in the wild. Females will lay up to 1,000 eggs. The fry feed on mucus on the flanks of the adults.

Firemouth Cichlid (Thorichthys meeki)

• ORIGINS: Central America, occurring in Guatemala and on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.
• SIZE: 6 in (15 cm).
• DIET: Prepared cichlid foods and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 70–75°F (21–24°C); hard (150–200 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Territorial and aggressive.

The fiery red on the throat and underside of the body distinguishes male Firemouths, pictured above, from females. A pair becomes aggressive when spawning, and will dig more frequently in the substrate. Firemouths are dedicated parents, watching over the eggs and then shepherding the young into a spawning pit. Brine shrimp make a valuable rearing food for the young at this stage.

Red Devil (Amphilophus labiatus)

• ORIGINS: Central America, restricted to Lake Xiloa, Lake Nicaragua, and Lake Managua in Nicaragua.
• SIZE: 10 in (25 cm).
• DIET: Prepared cichlid foods and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 75–79°F (24–26°C); hard (100–150 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Aggressive and territorial.

Like a number of other Central American cichlid species, the Red Devil is relatively adaptable in terms of its water chemistry needs. It is reddish, but the precise depth of coloration differs between individuals. The female of a pair, discernible by her blunt genital papilla and smaller size, may lay up to 700 eggs, guarding them until they hatch after about three days. It may take a further week for the fry to become free-swimming.

Severum (Cichlasoma severum)

• ORIGINS: Northern parts of South America, extending throughout the Amazon basin.
• SIZE: 8 in (20 cm).
• DIET: Prepared cichlid foods and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 73–77°F (23–25°C); soft (50 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5).
• TEMPERAMENT: Territorial.

The black band extending from the dorsal to the ventral fin is a key feature of the Severum. Young individuals show a series of such bands running down the sides of the body, but these fade as they grow older. Once mature, males can be identified by the elongated tips on the dorsal and ventral fins, and by the reddish-brown patterning on the head. Pairs may not always prove compatible.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Although many cichlids are aggressive, most disputes are resolved without actual physical conflict. The bright red of the Firemouth Cichlid (Thorichthys meeki), shown below, warns other fish to steer clear. If this does not work as a deterrent, a Firemouth will inflate its throat and flare out its gill covers. This makes the fish appear larger and more intimidating and may persuade a would-be rival to back down and swim away. In the aquarium, however, conflict is more likely because the fish cannot avoid one another.

Convict Cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata)

• ORIGINS: Central America, ranging from Guatemala southward to Panama.
• SIZE: 6 in (15 cm).
• DIET: Prepared cichlid foods, algae, and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 68–77°F (20–25°C); hard (100–150 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Aggressive and territorial

The black and bluish stripes on the body of this fish are not dissimilar to the pattern of old prison uniforms—hence the name Convict Cichlid. The female lacks the extensions to the dorsal and ventral fins seen in the male, but she is more colorful, with yellowish-orange underparts. A rare albino variant has also been bred. Provide a relatively bare aquarium for spawning purposes, but add a clay flowerpot and some slate to give a choice of egg-laying sites. As with related species, bloodworm and other live foods are important to keep these fish in good condition. Convict Cichlids also feed readily on vegetation, so they should only be housed with tough plants, which they are unlikely to destroy. Pairs will usually care for their young, but should they ignore them, it may be better to transfer the brood to a separate tank where they can be reared safely on their own.

Blue Acara (Andinoacara pulcher)

• ORIGINS: Central and northern South America, from Panama to Colombia and Venezuela. Also in Trinidad.
• SIZE: 8 in (20 cm).
• DIET: Prepared cichlid foods and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 64–77°F (18–25°C); soft (50 mg/l) to neutral (pH 7.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Territorial but not very aggressive.

Although the exact coloration of Blue Acaras varies between individuals, they all display obvious bluish markings set against a darker background. Mature males can usually be identified by the extensions at the rear of the dorsal and anal fins. Regular water changes to maintain water quality are very important for Blue Acaras, while raising the water temperature slightly, up to 82°F (28°C), should encourage spawning

Keyhole Cichlid (Cleithracara maronii)

• ORIGINS: Northwestern South America, restricted to parts of Guyana.
• SIZE: 6 in (15 cm).
• DIET: Prepared cichlid foods and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 72–77°F (22–25°C); soft (50 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.5).
• TEMPERAMENT: Peaceful.

Captive-bred strains of the Keyhole Cichlid are often much smaller in size than wild stock. A black stripe passing through the eye and roughly circular black markings on the upper body adjacent to the dorsal fin are characteristic features of this cichlid. It is less destructive in aquariums than its relatives, rarely digging or damaging plants. The female will lay up to 300 eggs and then guard them until they hatch. She will also care for the resulting fry

Green Terror (Andinoacara rivulatus)

• ORIGINS: Northwestern South America, occurring in western Ecuador and central Peru.
• SIZE: 8 in (20 cm).
• DIET: Prepared cichlid foods and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 68–77°F (20–25°C); soft (50 mg/l) to neutral (pH 7.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Territorial and aggressive.

Turquoise body markings separate these cichlids from related species. The male, pictured below, is more brightly colored than the female and usually larger. Most males acquire a nuchal hump on the forehead as they mature. It is usually better to keep pairs in a tank on their own, especially for breeding, offering plenty of retreats and spawning surfaces. Hatching can take four days; the fry become free-swimming one week later.

SUBSTRATE EXCAVATORS

Many of the New World cichlids are eager excavators of the substrate. This behavior is reflected in the name of one particular genus, Geophagus, which literally means “eartheater.” Such cichlids do not normally swallow the gravel that they pick up with their strong jaws but instead move it a short distance and then simply spit it out. As you can see from this picture of a Black Belt Cichlid (Vieja maculicauda), they can move relatively large amounts with each mouthful. Part of the reason for digging is undoubtedly to search for edible live foods, such as worms, that may be lurking in the substrate, but this behavior is also linked with the cichlids’ breeding habits. The cichlid fry require a safe area when they first emerge from their eggs, while they are not yet free-swimming. In order to keep their brood together and safe from would-be predators, the adults dig a series of pits in the substrate where their offspring can shelter. Within an aquarium setup, this digging can lead to plants floating up to the surface if they are not set in pots. It may also compromise the workings of an undergravel filter. Rockwork, in particular, needs to be securely positioned to prevent it from being undermined by these excavations.

Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus)

• ORIGINS: South America, from the basins of the Amazon and Orinoco southward to Paraguay.
• SIZE: 14 in (35 cm).
• DIET: Prepared cichlid foods and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 72–77°F (22–25°C); soft (50 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5).
• TEMPERAMENT: Not to be trusted with small companions.

The Oscar’s dull, greenish-brown background color is offset with lighter, reddish-orange markings arranged in irregular patterns. There can be considerable variation between individuals. Soon becoming tame enough to feed from the hand, Oscars need an efficient filtration system to prevent any deterioration in water quality. Females develop a genital papilla prior to spawning, with pairs forming a strong pair bond.

• Red Tiger Oscar Selective breeding has led to the development of Oscars in which large, bright orange areas predominate on the body
• Longfin Albino Oscar These Oscars display elongated fins, and this characteristic feature can be combined with any color. Note the red eye.

Pearl Cichlid (Geophagus brasiliensis)

• ORIGINS: Eastern South America, from the Atlantic coast of Brazil to Rio de la Plata in Argentina.
• SIZE: 11 in (28 cm).
• DIET: Prepared cichlid foods, algae, and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 68–77°F (20–25°C); soft (50 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.5).
• TEMPERAMENT: Territorial but not very aggressive

Blue, pearl-like markings on many of the scales, set against a bluish-gray background, give this cichlid a very distinctive appearance. However, no two individuals have exactly the same patterning. Pearl Cichlids are very adaptable in terms of their water chemistry needs. They will busily excavate the substrate, especially as the time for spawning approaches. If a pair repeatedly eat their eggs after spawning, they are unlikely to be compatible.

Festivus (Cichlasoma festae)

• ORIGINS: Northern South America, occurring in western Guyana and parts of the Amazon basin.
• SIZE: 8 in (20 cm).
• DIET: Prepared cichlid foods and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 72–77°F (22–25°C); soft (50 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.5).
• TEMPERAMENT: Only territorial when breeding.

Festivus have a thick, uneven black area running from the eye toward the dorsal fin. Below the eye is a circular, orange-yellow blotch, along with smaller yellow spots. The dorsal fin is more elongated in males. These nervous fish need a well-planted aquarium, with a piece of slate for spawning. They make good companions for Pterophyllum angelfish.