Odo cichlid
Nandopsis haitiensis
Also known as Haitian cichlid, Black nasty
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–84°F (24–29°C)
- pH
- 7.2–8.5
- Adult size
- 10.2 in (26 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 132 gal (500 L)
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Origin
- Hispaniola rivers and lakes
- Family
- Cichlidae
Overview
One of the very few cichlids native to a Caribbean island, and an aggressive predator that needs a species tank or a carefully chosen pair. Keep it singly or as a bonded pair with nothing small enough to be eaten and nothing mild enough to be bullied. Give it a 500 liter tank with heavy cover and open floor. Feed prepared and frozen meaty foods, and do not feed live fish.
In the wild
Nandopsis haitiensis lives in rivers and the brackish-edged lakes of Hispaniola, water that runs warm and hard. Keep it at 24 to 29 degrees Celsius and pH 7.2 to 8.5. It tolerates a little salt, which reflects the lake systems it comes from.
Good to know
Nandopsis haitiensis reaches about 26 centimeters, pearl-flecked over a near-black body. The Greater Antilles hold only a handful of native cichlids, and this is one of them, which makes it biogeographically unusual as well as scarce in the hobby. It is a substrate spawner.
Did you know
Hobbyists call it the black nasty with affection and bruises; the Antilles' own cichlid takes no advice.
Common questions
What size tank does an Odo cichlid need?
An Odo cichlid needs at least 132 gal (500 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Odo cichlid need?
Odo cichlid are comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 7.2–8.5.
How big do Odo cichlid get?
An adult Odo cichlid reaches about 10.2 in (26 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 Odo cichlid?
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Planning tankmates
See how Odo cichlid fits a stocking plan. Open the stocking calculator
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