Grammodes cichlid
Chiapaheros grammodes
Also known as Sieve cichlid, Chiapas cichlid
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–84°F (24–29°C)
- pH
- 7.2–8.2
- Adult size
- 9.4 in (24 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 119 gal (450 L)
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Rio Grande de Chiapa, Mexico
- Family
- Cichlidae
Overview
This is a large, combative cichlid that is unassuming as a youngster and turns into a real bully as it grows, so plan on a single specimen or one tested pair and a big tank of at least 450 liters. It works the lower water and digs, and it is predatory, so keep only large, robust tankmates that can defend themselves, and never small fish that will be eaten. Provide plenty of shelter in the form of large stones, wood, and sturdy caves to break up its line of sight and give weaker fish somewhere to escape. Feed a varied diet of sinking cichlid pellets and frozen or meaty foods; it leans toward eating other fish in the wild, so meaty items suit it.
In the wild
The grammodes cichlid lives in the warm rivers of the Grijalva system in Chiapas, Mexico, and into Guatemala, in flowing water over rock and sand. Recreate that with a sandy floor, large stones and driftwood for cover, and some current from the filter. Keep it warm at 24–29 C and hard and slightly alkaline, around pH 7.2–8.2, with strong filtration to match its size and appetite.
Good to know
Chiapaheros grammodes is the only species in its genus, a member of the family Cichlidae reaching about 24 centimeters. The species name comes from the Greek for lines or letters, for the pattern of blue, worm like scribbles it wears over a paler body. Both parents guard the eggs and fry after spawning on a firm surface, and breeding is of moderate difficulty.
Did you know
The name grammodes means marked with lines or lettering, and the fish earns it: the blue markings scrawled across its flanks look oddly like handwriting.
Common questions
What size tank does a Grammodes cichlid need?
A Grammodes cichlid needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Grammodes cichlid need?
Grammodes cichlid are comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 7.2–8.2.
How big do Grammodes cichlid get?
An adult Grammodes cichlid reaches about 9.4 in (24 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Imperial Tropicals Freshwater fish and inverts bred at a Florida hatchery
- The Wet Spot Tropical Fish Large selection of quarantined tropical freshwater fish, with live arrival guarantee and Next Day Air flat rate shipping to all US locations
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Grammodes cichlid?
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Related species
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