Chanchito

Care at a glance

Overview

A pair needs a tank of at least 200 liters at 15 to 26 C and pH 6.0 to 8.0, and it can be kept unheated in a temperate room. Provide rockwork and hardy plants it cannot easily uproot. Feed pellets, frozen foods, and vegetable matter. It is aggressive when breeding, so watch tankmates closely.

In the wild

The chanchito comes from the subtropical Rio de la Plata basin and Atlantic coastal drainages of Uruguay, southern Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. It lives in cooler water than most cichlids and handles seasonal temperature swings. It is a hardy, pugnacious fish that digs and rearranges plants. A tank with sturdy decor and rooted or potted plants works best.

Good to know

Australoheros facetus was described by Jenyns in 1842 and reaches around 20 to 25 cm. It shifts color with its mood, which earns it the name chameleon cichlid. It has been in the hobby since the late 1800s, one of the first cichlids imported to Europe.

Did you know

It is cold tolerant enough to survive temperate winters and has established itself as an invasive fish in rivers of Portugal and Spain.

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