Atromaculatus cichlid

Care at a glance

Overview

The Atromaculatus cichlid is a large, territorial cichlid for a tank with plenty of floor. It is best for a keeper who already has some experience.

Caring for the Atromaculatus cichlid

Keep an Atromaculatus cichlid as a single fish or a bonded pair, in at least 106 gal (400 L). Give it sand, heavy wood and clear sight breaks. It spends most of its time near the bottom.

Keep the water at 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C) with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Feed prepared and frozen meaty foods.

It is territorial, so its tank mates need size and confidence, and you should choose them with caution. Expect a spawning pair to claim most of the tank. It is a substrate spawner, and both parents care for the brood. Breeding it is of medium difficulty.

Good to know

The Atromaculatus cichlid, Mesoheros atromaculatus, is a member of the cichlid family, Cichlidae. Its manners are those of the Central American guapotes, even though it lives south of them.

In the wild

The Atromaculatus cichlid lives in the rain-fed rivers of the Chocó, on the Pacific side of Colombia and Ecuador. The Chocó is one of the wettest regions on earth, and its warm water stays soft to neutral.

Common questions

Related species

• 

  Gephyrus cichlid

  Mesoheros gephyrus

  5.9 in (15 cm) · 79 gal (300 L)

  5.9 in (15 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)

• 

  True red terror

  Mesoheros festae

  17.7 in (45 cm) · 151 gal (570 L)

  17.7 in (45 cm)151 gal (570 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Banded jewelfish

  Hemichromis fasciatus

  9.8 in (25 cm) · 119 gal (450 L)

  9.8 in (25 cm)119 gal (450 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

• 

  Freckled rheoheros

  Rheoheros lentiginosus

  9.8 in (25 cm) · 106 gal (400 L)

  9.8 in (25 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)

• 

  Linn's hap

  Nimbochromis linni

  9.8 in (25 cm) · 159 gal (600 L)

  9.8 in (25 cm)159 gal (600 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Oaxaca vieja

  Vieja zonata

  9.8 in (25 cm) · 132 gal (500 L)

  9.8 in (25 cm)132 gal (500 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)