Underwoodi cichlid
Talamancaheros underwoodi
Also known as Underwood's cichlid
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–84°F (24–29°C)
- pH
- 7.0–8.2
- Adult size
- 11 in (28 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 106 gal (400 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Térraba drainage, Costa Rica
- Family
- Cichlidae
Overview
The underwoodi cichlid is a medium-large, current-loving Costa Rican cichlid for a river-style tank. It is fairly peaceful for its size but territorial when breeding, so keep one fish or a single pair and choose sturdy tankmates suited to strong flow. It works the bottom in moving water, grazing and picking at surfaces, so provide boulders, high oxygen and brisk current. Feed a mixed diet with a good share of vegetable matter alongside frozen and prepared foods. Give it a spacious, well filtered tank of around 400 liters or more.
In the wild
This species is restricted to the Terraba drainage of Costa Rica, on the Pacific slope of the Talamanca mountains, in fast and moderately flowing rivers over rock and gravel. Recreate that with strong current, rounded boulders, and a well oxygenated tank. Keep the water warm and neutral to slightly hard, around 24 to 29 C and pH 7.0 to 8.2.
Good to know
Talamancaheros underwoodi is a rheophilic cichlid reaching around 28 centimeters, adapted to life in flowing rivers. Until 2016 it was treated as a population of the related Talamancaheros sieboldii; a revision of Central American cichlids that year recognised it as a distinct species and placed it in the new genus Talamancaheros. It is a biparental substrate spawner.
Did you know
For over a century this fish was lumped in with a close relative and had no name of its own; only a 2016 study of Central American cichlids separated it out as a distinct Costa Rican species.
Common questions
What size tank does an Underwoodi cichlid need?
An Underwoodi cichlid needs at least 106 gal (400 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Underwoodi cichlid need?
Underwoodi cichlid are comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.2.
How big do Underwoodi cichlid get?
An adult Underwoodi cichlid reaches about 11 in (28 cm).
Where to buy
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Sieboldii cichlid
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