First time Cichlid keeper

[Nigalius]

Hi, I have been keeping tropicals for 9 months now and decided to move on to keeping Cichlids. I used to keep my 36imp gallon tank with community fish but have given them away to a good home. I have now bought a pair of Archocentrus Cutteri and they have been in the tank now for about 30 hours. They seem to be losing their shyness where as at first they were reluctant to come out from the corner now they seem quite happy to swim about all over the tank. Only when I am nearby do they tend to hide. I have several questions and hope someone can answer them. ohhh yes, I also have 6 zebra Danios in the tank too. I hope to breed the Cichlids and give them to others that perhaps cant afford them. They seem to be getting on well with each other with the male following the female and visa versa. Does this mean there is a possibility they might breed? how long would I have to wait? The male is about 5" long and the female 4". I know nothing about this fish and cant find any details on the net, does anyone have a page or site that would give details of the best conditions for them? I am feeding them on pellets at the moment and also dried flake. My tank size is 36imp gallons Ammonia and nitrite are excellent and nitrate about 20. Any info on keeping what seems to be an excellent type of fish that are already showing lots of character would be very much appreciated. Thank You, Nigel. <:{{{><

 

[rvm]

I did a google search and came up with a document that said they are a colour moph of Archocentrus Spilurum (Jade-Eye Cichlid) here is a link to some info. HTH

 

[semper fi]

the a. cutteri is a color morph of the a. spirulum. the a. cutteri, trade name, blue eyed cichlid, has a blue streak through the midsection with red colored fins. they are omnivorous. prefer the moderate moving water and rocky environment. they are egglayers. the size that you have is about fullgrown adult size. can be kept in temps up to 85 although 80-82 is ideal for them.

 

[Nigalius]

Hi... Thank you to anyone that has replied. I am grateful to any help that I get. I have a concern about the feeding of my Cichlids and that is they are being fed on tiny pellet balls which float. I also have 6 Zebra danios in the tank that seem to be trying to take the pellets too.At the moment the Cichlids are still a little nervous and when I get near the tank they hide low down at the back and dont seem to want the pellets. Shall I still use pellets and hope they find them? Or shall I just use flake? Or should I just feed them and move away from the tank. Will the nervousness get less over the coming days or weeks? Sorry for the questions, thanks a bunch, Nigel <:{{{><

 

[juanveldez]

I also found this article while it isn't about the fish its self it will give you a good idea of of its habitat in the wild.

A. Cutteri