TankBud

Spiny cichlid

Rocio spinosissima

Also known as Spinosissima cichlid, Guatemala blue-cheek

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
53 gal
200 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Substrate spawner · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Izabal basin, Guatemala

Overview

The spiny cichlid is a compact, mostly peaceful Central American cichlid for the lower water of a tank with cover. Its care calls for a little experience.

Did you know

The spiny cichlid's genus name, Rocio, means morning dew in Spanish. It honors the describing scientist's wife, and also the dewy sparkle of the pale blue-green spots scattered across the cheeks and flanks.

Caring for the spiny cichlid

Give a pair of spiny cichlids a tank of at least 53 gal (200 L). They hold a modest territory in the lower part of the tank, marked out with sand, rock and driftwood. Add some hardy plants for cover.

Keep the water neutral to hard and warm, at 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.2. Run steady filtration. Feed an omnivore diet of pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and a little plant matter.

Keep it as a single fish or a bonded pair rather than a group. It is mostly peaceful for a cichlid but will defend a spawn. Choose sturdy, medium community fish as tank mates, and give them space away from the pair at breeding time.

It is a substrate spawner that lays its eggs on a firm surface. Both parents defend the eggs and fry, and breeding it is moderately difficult.

Good to know

The spiny cichlid belongs to the family Cichlidae and shares its genus with the jack dempsey, though it lacks that fish's wrecking-ball reputation. Its species name, spinosissima, means spiniest, for its notably high fin-spine count.

In the wild

The spiny cichlid lives in the Lake Izabal basin of Guatemala. It keeps to weedy, vegetated margins over sand and among roots and stones.

Common questions

What size tank does a spiny cichlid need?

A spiny cichlid needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a spiny cichlid need?

A spiny cichlid is comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.2.

What does a spiny cichlid eat?

A spiny cichlid eats an omnivore diet of pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and a little plant matter.

How big does a spiny cichlid get?

An adult spiny cichlid reaches about 5.1 in (13 cm).

How does a spiny cichlid breed?

A spiny cichlid is a substrate spawner that lays its eggs on a firm surface. Both parents defend the eggs and fry, and breeding it is moderately difficult.

Related species