cichlasoma nicaraguense

[retiredfish377]

ok i got these fish at the auction for free yesterday but am wondering what the max size is and what to feed them and what size tank to keep them in

 

[petey Z]

heres alittle information. Hope it helps.

http/www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/nicaragua.xml

 

[freddyk]

The males will reach up to 10", the females up to 6". They should be an a 55 gallon tank minimum for a pair. These fish can be kept with an exceptional amount of non-cichlids including surprisingly small shoaling fish - they completely ignore non-conspecifics. They accept most foods - flakes, pellets, bloodworms, brine shrimp, etc. I've also found they are always nibbling on the zucchini I use for the Royal pleco.

I keep mine in a 75 gallon, I find the depth makes a nice difference. They shouldn't be kept with too many other types of cichlids because of their docile nature - geophagus will work, and severums. Of course, I wouldn't force a pair into a tank with other cichlid as cichlids naturally hate each other and i'm not into gladiator tanks.