Page 139 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

CICHLIDS 137

Amphilophus labiatus Cichlasoma severum
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Red Devil Severum
Although many cichlids are aggressive, most
ORIGINS Central America, restricted to Lake Xiloa, Lake ORIGINS Northern parts of South America, extending disputes are resolved without actual physical
Nicaragua, and Lake Managua in Nicaragua. throughout the Amazon basin. conflict. The bright red of the Firemouth
SIZE 10 in (25 cm). SIZE 8 in (20 cm). Cichlid (Thorichthys meeki), shown below,
DIET Prepared cichlid foods and live foods. DIET Prepared cichlid foods and live foods. warns other fish to steer clear. If this does
WATER Temperature 75–79°F (24–26°C); hard WATER Temperature 73–77°F (23–25°C); soft (50 mg/l) not work as a deterrent, a Firemouth will
(100–150 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0). and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5). inflate its throat and flare out its gill covers.
TEMPERAMENT Aggressive and territorial. TEMPERAMENT Territorial. This makes the fish appear larger and more
intimidating and may persuade a would-be
Like a number of other Central American cichlid rival to back down and swim away. In the
species, the Red Devil is relatively adaptable in Juvenile aquarium, however, conflict is more likely
terms of its water chemistry needs. It is reddish, because the fish cannot avoid one another.
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.

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.

Amatitlania nigrofasciata
Convict Cichlid

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.

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