Info on Spilotum "cichlasoma nicaraguense"

[nshockeyplaya]

Does anyone own or know anything about the behavior or any useful info on this fish(cichlasoma nicaraguense), i have read about it but i just want some personal experience advise. Anyone???

 

[nshockeyplaya]

Nuthing?

 

[freddyk]

Actually, I'm keeping a pair right now.

I love these fish, they're really laid back for cichlids, and a pair can live with a large selection of tankmates.

The male top out at 10" by the end of its fairly extensive life, the females will grow up to 6". I've got them in 110 gallon now, with a dozen congo tetra's, a royal pleco, and a bunch of synodontis catifsh. The size of tank i've donated to them is overkill, but a standard 55 is about as small as i'd go for a pair.

They're hardy fish, all they ask for is clean water. Unless you want to breed them, ph isn't much of a concern. It's good to have a couple of places where the female can get away from the male - he can get moody at times. They're cave spawners. I just used a mix of rocks, wood, and ornamants to create a variety of hidey-holes for them to choose from.

If you were planning to add it to a cichlid tank, stick to calmer species like severums or eartheaters - these guys won't stand a chance against any of the meanies. They're really at their best as a pair that rule the nest, IMO.

 

[nshockeyplaya]

Thanks Freddy appreciate the info, yea i want to get one of them. I would rather have the male though if they get bigger. I would like to add it to my 125 gallon tank with the fish i have (in sig) i think i would be ok. Two questions though, 1. Does the male or female hav better colors? 2. Do they swim in all different levels of the tank, if not where do they swim??

 

[nshockeyplaya]

OO ya and i was wondering if you hav ne pics of them tht u can post or have posted already?

 

[freddyk]

I can't say how he'd do with an Oscar, but with the size difference I think it will entirely depend on the attitude of the Oscar - he'll rule the roost. One thing for certain - that tank is now owned by the Oscar - you may need to put up a divider to get them used to each other, or add a few cichlids at once so the one doesn't draw all the attention. I'd even consider getting a pair anyway, so they can defend their territory together against the big ol' O. I don't know, I'm not much into Arena tanks.

The female has the more brilliant color, a very metallic sheen, but the male is just as nice in a more subtle way.

They are entirely bottom dwellers, though they learn to come up for feeding like any fish. Their downturned mouths are designed for searching the bottom for food, and they really enjoy their caves. They're avid diggers too.

http/www.cichlidae.com/gallery/species.php?s=217

 

[nshockeyplaya]

Man they are beautiful, why do oscars have to be so stubborn about dominance .I still think i want to try it though, they are so beautiful, my black shark is jsut as dominant as the oscar so it wont be easy. I hope my LFS will liv up to what they told me when i ask for a special order.

 

[Waterloo Kid]

Any idea if they are likely to eat plants? I'd love a pair but my plants could become snacks for them. I like my plants OUTSIDE my fish.

WK

 

[freddyk]

Oh yeah, they'll snack on them. They've even snacked on my plastic ones a bit