Panama cichlid

Panamius panamensis

Also known as Neetroplus panamensis, Rosy cichlid

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 75–84°F (24–29°C)
pH: 7.0–8.2
Adult size: 5.1 in (13 cm)
Minimum tank: 42 gal (160 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Solitary
Tankmates: Tankmates with caution
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Pacific slope streams, Panama
Family: Cichlidae

Overview

This is a compact stream cichlid with a strong sense of territory, so keep it as a single fish or a bonded pair rather than a group. It spends most of its time low in the tank, grazing algae and aufwuchs off stones and picking at small invertebrates, so offer a varied diet of sinking pellets, spirulina-based foods, and frozen items such as bloodworm. Although it stays under about 13 centimeters, it defends its space firmly, so choose tankmates carefully and give the whole setup at least 160 liters with clear rock boundaries. Robust, similarly sized cichlids that can hold their own suit it better than timid fish it might bully.

In the wild

In the wild it lives in warm, fast, rocky streams on the Pacific slope of Panama, moving over sand, gravel, and stone where leaf litter collects from the forest above. Recreate that with a substrate of sand and smooth pebbles, plenty of water movement, and stacked rock that breaks the tank into territories and caves. Keep the water warm at around 24 to 29 C and neutral to slightly alkaline, roughly pH 7 to 8.2, with strong filtration and steady oxygen to match its stream home.

Good to know

Panamius panamensis belongs to the family Cichlidae and is the only species in its genus, a Central American form once placed in Neetroplus and Cryptoheros. It reaches about 13 centimeters, making it one of the smaller Central American cichlids. Like others in this group it is a cave spawner of moderate difficulty, forming pairs that lay eggs on a sheltered surface and guard the fry together. Its flattened body and scraping teeth suit a life spent grazing hard surfaces.

Did you know

It gives Panama a cichlid genus of its own: after being shuffled between Neetroplus, Cichlasoma, and Cryptoheros, it was finally set apart as the sole member of Panamius, named for the country it comes from.