Chanchito
Australoheros facetus
Also known as Chameleon cichlid, Chanchita, Cichlasoma facetum
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 59–79°F
- 15–26°C
- pH
- 6.0–8.0
- Adult size
- 8.7 in
- 22 cm
- Minimum tank
- 53 gal
- 200 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Easy
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Subtropical Rio de la Plata basin and Atlantic coastal drainages of Uruguay, southern Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina.
Overview
The Chanchito is a hardy, aggressive cichlid for the middle of a large tank with sturdy decor. It is easy to keep.
Did you know
The Chanchito is cold tolerant enough to survive temperate winters. It has established itself as an invasive fish in rivers of Portugal and Spain.
Caring for the Chanchito
Give a pair of Chanchitos at least 53 gal (200 L), with rockwork and other sturdy decor. It is a pugnacious fish that digs and rearranges plants. Use hardy plants it cannot easily uproot, either rooted or in pots.
Keep the water at 59 to 79°F (15 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 8.0. A Chanchito can be kept unheated in a temperate room. Feed pellets, frozen foods and vegetable matter.
The Chanchito is aggressive, and more so when breeding. Choose tank mates with caution and watch them closely. Breeding it is easy.
Good to know
The Chanchito, Australoheros facetus, was described by Jenyns in 1842. It shifts color with its mood, which gives it its other name, chameleon cichlid. It has been in the hobby since the late 1800s, one of the first cichlids imported to Europe.
In the wild
The Chanchito comes from the subtropical Rio de la Plata basin and Atlantic coastal drainages. Its range spans Uruguay, southern Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina. It lives in cooler water than most cichlids and handles seasonal temperature swings.
Common questions
What size tank does a Chanchito need?
A Chanchito needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Chanchito need?
A Chanchito is comfortable at 59–79°F (15–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–8.0.
What does a Chanchito eat?
A Chanchito eats pellets, frozen foods and vegetable matter.
How big does a Chanchito get?
An adult Chanchito reaches about 8.7 in (22 cm).
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