Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Fish profile

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

They have a spunky, territorial temperament that commands respect in the aquarium. While not outright killers, they will fiercely defend their chosen territory. Providing adequate space is the key to managing their aggression.

Diet

Omnivore

In nature, they feed heavily on snails, insects, and plant matter. In the aquarium, they readily accept cichlid pellets, frozen bloodworms, and vegetable-based flakes. Offering live snails can help mimic their natural foraging behaviors.

Sex ratio

Flexible

Females are typically more brightly colored than males, which is unusual for cichlids. Males grow significantly larger and develop a slight nuchal hump as they age. Males also possess longer, more pointed dorsal and anal fins.

Feeding frequency

Twice daily

Feed them one to two times daily with an amount they can finish rapidly. Be cautious not to overfeed, especially with high-protein foods. They will actively dig through the substrate searching for leftover morsels.

Bioload

This medium to large cichlid has a high bioload and eats quite messily. Their digging habits also stir up detritus into the water column. Powerful canister filtration is required to keep the water visually and chemically clean.

Flow

Stagnant

They tolerate a moderate water flow, which helps keep the tank clear of the debris they stir up. The current should not be overwhelmingly strong, as they still need calm resting spots. Adequate surface agitation is important for oxygenation.

Reproduction

Oviparous

They are unique among Central American cichlids as they lay non-adhesive eggs in a pit dug in the substrate. The parents are incredibly aggressive when guarding the nest and the fry. They will often attack the aquarist's hands during tank maintenance.

Compatibility & tankmates

They are moderately aggressive and should be kept with other similarly sized Central American cichlids. Fast-moving dither fish, like large tetras or barbs, can be included if the tank is large enough. They will terrorize small or timid tank mates.

Tank level

Middle

They primarily inhabit the lower and middle regions of the aquarium. The substrate must be soft sand, as they love to dig and sift extensively. All heavy rocks must be placed directly on the tank glass to prevent structural collapses.