Fishes Catalogue - American Cichlids (Family: Cichlidae)
Contents
American
Cichlids can be found throughout the continent from Texas through
Central and South America and as far south as Argentina, with more than
200 species. The best known genera found in America are Aequidens,
Astronotus, Cichlasoma, Crenicara, Crenicichla, Geophagus, Herichthys,
most of which have a quarrelsome temperament with their own
kind, as well as towards other species. However there are some American
species that are not quite as troublesome, such as: Pterophyllum
(Angelfish), Symphysodon (Discus Fish),Apistogramma, and Nannacara,
(the dwarf Cichlids), although it must be said that the majority of
Cichlids are by nature extremely territorial, especially when breeding.
In general these Cichlids need a spacious aquarium
with gravel substrate and plenty of rockscape and caves for shelter.
Most Cichlids like to dig so care should be taken when choosing plants,
and careful thought as to where and how you plant them, best to have
them in pots. The majority of Cichlids are carnivorous and therefore
will relish all kinds of live foods, although some vegetable matter
should be given as well. Because of their size and appetite good filtration
is a must, along with frequent partial water changes.
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Key to abbreviations
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| F: |
Female |
| M: |
Male |
| C: |
Carnivorous (flesh-eater).
|
| H: |
Herbivorous (vegetarian,
plant eater). |
| L: |
Limnivore (Mud-eater,
bottom feeding on vegetation, algae, worms, etc. any micro-organisms
they may find in the detritus on the bottom). |
| O: |
Omnivorous (varied diet,
live or recently killed meaty type food and plant material).
|
| FD: |
Freeze Dried. Min. Aquarium
size (minimum). |
| dH: |
degrees of hardness
(on the German scale). |
| KH: |
Carbonate Hardness (a
measure of temporary hardness see
Water
Quality). |
| Temp: |
Temperament. |
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| Common Name |
Flag Cichlid
View Picture |
| Scientific Name |
Aequidens curviceps
|
| FAMILY |
Cichlidae |
| Origin |
Amazon Basin |
| pH |
6.8 - 7.0 |
| Hardness |
7º - 9ºdH |
| Temperature |
75º - 80ºF (24º - 27ºC)
|
| Size |
3ins or 7.5cm |
| Min. Aquarium |
15 Gal (70 ltr) e.g.
24 x 12 x 15in (60 x 30 x 38cm) |
| Feeding |
O: H: Live Food, Flake,
etc. |
| Reproduction |
Egg Layers |
| Aquarium Lighting
|
Medium Light |
| Behaviour/Temp |
Keep in Pairs, Peaceful
Community Fish, except when spawning |
| Aquarium Set-Up |
Rocks, Plants, Bogwood
|
| Swimming Habits |
Swims all levels
|
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| Common Name |
Blue Acara
View Picture |
| Scientific Name |
Aequidens pulcher
|
| FAMILY |
Cichlidae |
| Origin |
Panama, Colombia, Trinidad,
Venezuela |
| pH |
6.5 - 7.5 |
| Hardness |
8º - 12ºdH |
| Temperature |
73º - 77ºF (23º - 25ºC)
|
| Size |
6 - 8ins (15 - 20cm)
|
| Min. Aquarium |
35 Gal (159 ltr) e.g.
36 x 15 x 18in (90 x 38 x 46cm) |
| Feeding |
C: Live Food, worms,
FD |
| Reproduction |
Egg Layers |
| Aquarium Lighting
|
Medium Light |
| Behaviour/Temp |
Forms Pairs, Peaceful
but territorial, not for beginners |
| Aquarium Set-Up |
Rocks, Plants, Bogwood
|
| Swimming Habits |
Swims all levels
|
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| Common Name |
Keyhole Cichlid
View Picture |
| Scientific Name |
Aequidens maronii
|
| FAMILY |
Cichlidae |
| Origin |
Northern South America:
Guyana |
| pH |
6.5 - 7.5 |
| Hardness |
8º - 12ºdH |
| Temperature |
75º - 79ºF (24º - 26ºC)
|
| Size |
4ins or 10cm |
| Min. Aquarium |
23 Gal (106 ltr) e.g.
24 x 15 x 18in (60 x 38 x 46cm) |
| Feeding |
C;O: All Live Food,
Flake, FD |
| Reproduction |
Egg Layers |
| Aquarium Lighting
|
Medium Light |
| Behaviour/Temp |
Very Peaceful |
| Aquarium Set-Up |
Rocks, Plants, Bogwood
|
| Swimming Habits |
Swims all levels
|
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| Common Name |
Red Breasted Cichlid
View Picture |
| Scientific Name |
Aequidens dorsigerus
|
| FAMILY |
Cichlidae |
| Origin |
Central South America:
Bolivia, Paraguay |
| pH |
7.0 |
| Hardness |
8º - 12ºdH |
| Temperature |
75º - 79ºF (24º - 26ºC)
|
| Size |
3ins (7.5cm) |
| Min. Aquarium |
15 Gal(70 ltr) e.g.
24 x 12 x 15in (60 x 30 x 38cm) |
| Feeding |
O: Small Live Food,
Flake |
| Reproduction |
Egg Layers |
| Aquarium Lighting
|
Medium Light |
| Behaviour/Temp |
Peaceful to Timid
|
| Aquarium Set-Up |
Rocks, Plants, Bogwood
|
| Swimming Habits |
Swims all levels
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| Common Name |
Firemouth Cichlid
View Picture |
| Scientific Name |
Cichlosoma meeki
|
| FAMILY |
Cichlidae |
| Origin |
Guatemala and Yucatan
|
| pH |
7.0 - 7.5 |
| Hardness |
8º - 12ºdH |
| Temperature |
75º - 80ºF (24º - 27ºC)
|
| Size |
5ins (13cm) |
| Min. Aquarium |
29 Gal(132 ltr) e.g.
30 x 15 x 18in (76 x 38 x 46cm) |
| Feeding |
C, O: Live Food, Flake,
FD, Tablet |
| Reproduction |
Egg Layers |
| Aquarium Lighting
|
Medium Light |
| Behaviour/Temp |
Peaceful to tank mates,
unless spawning, then becomes very territorial. Will burrow
and damage plants when mating. |
| Aquarium Set-Up |
Rocks to form caves,
some hardy plants, need swimming space |
| Swimming Habits |
Swims all levels
|
This beautiful Cichlid, from Guatemala and Yucatan,
is extremely vivid in colour, and is one of my favourites. Its body
is grey with black spots on each side, the scales are speckled with
blue, and the fins are edged in blue and red. Most striking is the belly
and throat, being a vivid red, and when the fish is threatened the throat
becomes a spectacular display as it fans out to ward of the threat.
The Firemouth will grow to about 5 inches (13cm), and
should be kept with fishes of its own size, it is possible it would
eat fishes small enough to fit into its mouth. I’ve never had any problems
with ones that I have kept, but the occasional pugnacious specimen can
be found, and would often attack fishes larger than itself, especially
if introduced after the Firemouth has become accustomed to its surroundings.
Using rockwork to provide caves and hide-holes for most Cichlids is
recommended.
You will be able to tell the male from the female,
the male having a longer more pointed dorsal fin. They will thrive on
live food, as well as good quality dried food being readily taken.
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Fishes
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