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Lyons' cichlid

Amphilophus lyonsi

Also known as Lyonsi cichlid, Lyon's cichlid

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–84°F (24–29°C)
pH
7.0–8.2
Adult size
7.1 in (18 cm)
Minimum tank
106 gal (400 L)
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
Tankmates with caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Common
Origin
Pacific slope, Costa Rica and Panama
Family
Cichlidae

Overview

A mid-sized Amphilophus with the temperament of its much larger relatives, best kept as a proven pair or a single fish. It holds territory firmly and will not share a tank with anything it can push around, so choose tankmates by size and give the layout real sight breaks. A 400 liter footprint is the working minimum for a pair. Feed prepared and frozen meaty foods and expect it to redecorate the substrate.

In the wild

Amphilophus lyonsi lives in warm Pacific-slope rivers around the Costa Rica and Panama border, over sand and among fallen wood. Keep it at 24 to 29 degrees Celsius and pH 7.0 to 8.2, with sand, heavy wood and space.

Good to know

Amphilophus lyonsi reaches about 18 centimeters, gold-dusted over charcoal with a dark blotch mid-flank. It is a substrate spawner with strong biparental care. Its genus contains the midas and red devil cichlids, so this is the same behavior in a body most tanks can actually accommodate.

Did you know

It is the southern outpost of a genus famous for Nicaraguan crater lakes; lyonsi commutes from the border office.

Common questions

What size tank does a Lyons' cichlid need?

A Lyons' cichlid needs at least 106 gal (400 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH do Lyons' cichlid need?

Lyons' cichlid are comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.2.

How big do Lyons' cichlid get?

An adult Lyons' cichlid reaches about 7.1 in (18 cm).

Where to buy

Some links may not be the exact species or variety.

…or ask your local fish store.

Appears in

Freshwater fish · Cichlids · Bottom dwellers

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