Tuba cichlid
Tomocichla tuba
Also known as Theraps tuba, Rainbow tomocichla
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–84°F
- 24–29°C
- pH
- 7.0–8.2
- Adult size
- 11.8 in
- 30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 119 gal
- 450 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
- Caribbean slope, Nicaragua to Panama
Overview
The Tuba cichlid is a big, current-loving cichlid for a river-style tank. It suits a keeper with some experience.
Did you know
The Tuba cichlid is a true river fish, unlike most of its large Central American relatives. Those cousins favor still or slow water.
Caring for the Tuba cichlid
Give a Tuba cichlid at least 119 gal (450 L), since this big, active fish needs real volume. Provide strong, steady current from oversized filters or a flow pump, with rounded boulders and a firm floor. Keep the tank well oxygenated, because it needs high oxygen to stay healthy.
Hold the water warm and neutral to slightly hard, at 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.2. It stays low, grazing surfaces and picking at the bottom. In flowing water it eats the algae and small animals that grow on rock. Feed a mixed diet with plenty of vegetable matter alongside frozen and prepared foods.
The Tuba cichlid is fairly peaceful for its size but territorial around breeding. Keep one fish or a single pair, and pick robust tank mates that suit fast water.
It is a biparental substrate spawner, with both parents guarding eggs laid on cleaned stone. Breeding is of medium difficulty.
Good to know
Tomocichla tuba is a rheophilic member of the family Cichlidae, built for life in current. It was once placed in the genus Theraps, and it has a streamlined body.
In the wild
The Tuba cichlid lives in fast, well oxygenated rivers on the Caribbean slope, from Nicaragua through Costa Rica to Panama. These rivers run over rock and gravel swept by current.
Common questions
What size tank does a Tuba cichlid need?
A Tuba cichlid needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Tuba cichlid need?
A Tuba cichlid is comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.2.
What does a Tuba cichlid eat?
A Tuba cichlid eats the algae and small animals that grow on rock in flowing water. In the tank, feed it a mixed diet with plenty of vegetable matter alongside frozen and prepared foods.
How big does a Tuba cichlid get?
An adult Tuba cichlid reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).
How does a Tuba cichlid breed?
A Tuba cichlid is a biparental substrate spawner. Both parents guard the eggs, which are laid on cleaned stone, and breeding is of medium difficulty.
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