Nicaraguan cichlid is an exotic aquarium fish. Nicaraguan Cichlazoma - an underrated beauty Compatibility of Nicaraguan Cichlazoma with other fish

The Nicaraguan cichlid is rightfully considered unique among. And this is connected not only and not so much with her appearance.

Description of Nicaraguan cichlizoma

First of all, a few words about the appearance of Nicaraguan women. Like all cichlids, the Nicaraguan cichlid (a synonym for the name of these fish) has its own unusual and quite bright color. The back of the body is painted in yellow-brown tones with a pronounced metallic sheen. The head and front part of the teardrop-shaped body have a turquoise color of varying intensity depending on age (in young individuals the color is not so pronounced). The edging of the fins is the same turquoise color. A dark stripe runs along the entire body, and the abdomen shimmers in all shades of orange and pink. The fish is very impressive.

And now about the features of these fish. Cichlazoma Nicaraguan is the only cichlid that lays non-sticky eggs and does not incubate them in the mouth. Typically, fish dig a hole in the ground (small pebbles, granite chips or white river sand) and lay eggs in a pile, constantly stirring them. Although they can gladly use some kind of shelter, for example, an inverted flower pot at the bottom of a “reservoir”.

The next distinctive feature of this cichlazoma, which relates rather to the peculiarities of its content, is plant foods in the diet. In an aquarium, Nicaraguans happily eat dandelion leaves, lettuce, even rolled oats flakes, although live food (bloodworms, tubifex, very small fish) must also be present. Therefore, it makes no sense to plant plants with delicate greenery in the soil of the aquarium - they will be instantly eaten. In all other respects, the maintenance of Nicaraguan cichlazoma does not differ from the general rules for keeping these fish - a sufficient volume of water (about 100 liters per couple), mechanical and biological purification of water, followed by.

Compatibility of Cichlazoma Nicaraguan with other fish

This “character trait” of the Nicaraguan cichlid, which can also be attributed to the characteristics of this species, is worth mentioning separately. The Nicaraguan is a relatively peaceful fish, unlike its other relatives, and gets along well with other sized inhabitants of aquariums. We can say that she lives according to the principle - if it doesn’t fit in her mouth, then you are not food, you can swim.

Recently, (Cichlasoma nicaraguense), which appeared in the homes of Russian hobbyists and professional aquarists not so long ago, is gaining increasing popularity. What captivates you about this fish is its unusual appearance and original coloring.

Habitat

Most often this species can be found in Lake Nicaragua, which is why the fish has this name. This species can also be found in other lakes with quiet waters located on the Pacific slope of Central America.

Description

Thirty-five years ago, Nicaraguan cichlid appeared in Russia. The size of the male in natural conditions (25 centimeters) usually exceeds the body length of the female. In aquariums, the size of the fish, as a rule, reaches only 20 centimeters in length. In its outline, this species slightly resembles a drop. The body bends in an arc from above, the peak of the arc is at the junction of the body with the head, and narrows closer to the tail. The lower part of the body runs in a straight line, which begins with the head and ends with the anal fin.
The transparent dorsal and anal fins are edged with a turquoise stripe. They extend to the beginning of the caudal fin.

Adult specimens have an intense turquoise coloration in the head and front part of the body. The tail and back of the body are colored in shades from yellow to brown of varying intensity. As well as a metallic sheen, which is more pronounced near the tail. Juveniles are not so brightly colored. The Nicaraguan cichlid has a dark stripe that runs across the entire body from the eyes to the tail. Over time, the stripe disappears. Instead, round spots appear, two on each side of the body. The general condition of the individual affects the degree of color intensity of these spots. The belly color can range from orange to pink, which becomes brighter during spawning. The eyes have a golden iris.

The fry and growing individuals are colored in yellow-gray shades, like adult specimens, and have a dark longitudinal stripe.
The sex of a particular specimen can be determined in several ways. During the period of spawning, sexual characteristics are most clearly visible. The female has an ovipositor, which has the shape of a trapezoid, the male has a cone-shaped vas deferens. The color of the fins and the size of the fish will also help determine the gender. Males are slightly larger than their female counterparts. This indicator can be misleading when determining the sex of young individuals, since the fry of females are much brighter in color and their growth rate is higher than that of males. Therefore, you should not rely too much on this sign. Females have transparent fins that have no pattern at all. The fins of males, on the contrary, have dark speckles.

An aquarium with a capacity of 100 liters will be sufficient for two individuals. The bottom should be covered with small pebbles, gravel or white sand with silt. Large flat stones, grottoes, caves and rocks created with your own hands are well suited for decoration. Also, plants with large and hard leaves and a strong root system can be used for decoration, but thin and delicate leaves will definitely be eaten by cichlids.

The water temperature for most cichlid species should be between 24 and 27 degrees.
When choosing lighting, it is necessary to maintain a golden mean in order to please both the flora and fauna inhabiting the aquarium. Too bright light will cause the water to “bloom” and the color of the fish will fade. On the contrary, a lack of light will not have the best effect on both plants and cichlases. The color of the fish will darken, and the plants will stop developing normally.

Nicaraguan cichlids need a sufficient amount of oxygen dissolved in water and additional aeration. They cannot live comfortably in muddy and dirty waters, so the aquarium must be equipped with mechanical and biological filters.
Cichlids have a rather quarrelsome and quarrelsome character, which in most cases is due to the dense population of the aquarium. If you follow some rules, cichlids are quite compatible with many other types of aquarium fish. First of all, residents of a home artificial pond should be selected to be approximately the same size and temperament.

It is good if they are raised together starting from the age of fry. If the aquarium is divided into zones using artificial caves and grottoes, as well as dense plant foliage, the fish will be comfortable in such a place. Timely feeding and a limited number of specimens will also contribute to the good health of all inhabitants of the aquarium. If a new individual appears, it should be separated from the old-timers using a transparent partition. This will help everyone get used to each other.

Nutrition

Living in natural conditions, the Nicaraguan cichlasoma feeds mainly on tender leaves of plants, insects, small fish and crustaceans, mollusks and snails.
Bloodworms, earthworms, special fish food in frozen and dry form, as well as plant food (dandelion, lettuce, nettle, oatmeal) - all this can be used as food for domestic fish. You can also include some vegetables in your diet, such as zucchini and cucumbers. For their nutrition, as for people, the principle of fractional and frequent feeding is suitable.

Breeding

The first spawning of Nicaraguan cichlases in our country took place in 1980. The process was carried out in an aquarium with a capacity of 60 liters. The breeders were approximately 8 months old, the body length of the female was 6 centimeters, the male - 7 centimeters. For spawning, it is better to provide cichlids with a separate aquarium; if this is not possible, a common one will do. The suitable water temperature for spawning is 27-29 degrees.

To stimulate egg laying, it is necessary to slightly increase the temperature and replace about 30% of the water with fresh water.
Puberty occurs between the ages of 7 and 15 months, when individuals reach a length of 6–9 centimeters.
The female laying eggs may eat her future offspring if she is frightened at this time.

Sand, fine gravel, or pebbles must cover the bottom of the aquarium, since cichlasoma digs holes in the ground into which eggs are subsequently laid. Small shelters (caves, grottoes, canyons) are also perfect for this. The eggs are transparent light yellow in color and size 2 millimeters in diameter. At one time, an adult female is capable of laying up to 1000 eggs. The juvenile produces slightly less eggs. The eggs do not stick together, so the female has to constantly collect these transparent balls into a pile. This procedure helps the eggs develop and grow well. While the female is busy mixing the eggs, the male guards the territory where the clutch is located and does not allow outside fish to approach this place.
A week after the incubation period (development of eggs), which lasts up to 4 days, the fry swim out with their parents to look for food. At first, they will feed on living dust, cyclops, small daphnia and zooplankton. Gradually the food needs to be changed to larger ones.

The lifespan of the Nicaraguan cichlid is approximately 15 years if kept well.
Additional Information
In some cases, the Nicaraguan Cichlazoma can protect the eggs and fry of other fish species living in the neighborhood. Then the parents do not attempt to eat the voluntary guards, although under other circumstances they would not refuse to do so.

Another variety of cichlasom, which is called Nicaraguan. The fish has unusual appearance and color; it is usually kept in species aquariums for greater effect. Females are rich, beautiful, males are duller. However, this fact does not prevent professional aquarists and beginners in this field from keeping Nicaraguan cichlases in pairs. They reproduce successfully and do not require scrupulous care or special maintenance. In order not to be unfounded, let's look at the important aspects in order.

Origin

In 1864, Gunther described this type of cichlid as unusual and interesting in behavior. Fish prefer to live near the Atlantic slope, located in Central America.

Representatives of this family can be found in lakes, slow-moving rivers and drainage. In crossbreeding, the Nicaraguan cichlazoma is combined with the black stripe. Until the fourth generation, the offspring will be fertile.

Adults naturally feed on shellfish, small invertebrates, seeds and foliage. The fry prefer to eat aquatic insects.

Description

The fish are stocky and neatly built. The head is curved, the frontal region is moderately pronounced. The mouth is clearly visible, the lips are dense and developed, the fish loves to dig the ground. A representative of Central American cichlids in the natural environment grows up to 25 cm. At the same time, life expectancy is on average 13 years.

The body is neatly folded, massive, copper in color with a golden tint. The head is bluish-green in color. There is a dark-colored spot in the central part of the body. A line runs along the body. The fins have dark spots, and the tail is edged with reddish pigment.

There are not only basic colorings, fish can be of different shades. It all depends on living conditions, feeding, as well as age and gender. Females are bright, males are duller. In nature, individuals are also endowed with greater color than their aquarium counterparts.

If you are wondering how difficult it is to keep these fish, then the answer is – easy. Large peaceful cichlazomas coexist with representatives of this family and catfish. The main thing is to provide the fish with a spacious home, keep the aquarium clean, feed the pets properly and be attentive to the neighborhood.

Feeding

These representatives of cichlids are omnivores. In their habitat, they eat mainly food of plant origin. We are talking about foliage, algae, vegetation, detritus, shellfish and various types of invertebrate creatures.

As a supplement, cichlaz is fed with bloodworms, mollusks, worms, tubifex worms, and shrimp. Among vegetables, they are treated to cucumbers, zucchini, lettuce leaves, and spirulina.

Meat products are given in limited quantities because they cause esophageal disorders. If you want to pamper your fish with this food, do it no more than once every 2 weeks.

1. If you are going to keep a pair of the cichlases in question, the aquarium should be at least 300 liters. Keep in mind that the larger the capacity, the better it will be for everyone. Especially if you are going to acquire other types of fish.
2. These cichlids are very fond of clean water and underwater currents. To achieve this, you will have to fork out for a water pump and a powerful cleaning filter. The problem is that after feeding the fish, a large amount of waste remains.
3. It is recommended to siphon the bottom of the aquarium once a week without fail. A quarter of the water should be changed at the same intervals. Keep in mind that the environment in the aquarium should be as close as possible to wild conditions.
4. The soil must be made of sand. In addition, stones and driftwood should be placed in the aquarium. Build all kinds of shelters for the fish. The cichlids in question love to dig in the sand. That is why you should not plant all kinds of algae.
5. Alternatively, you can grow the plants in individual containers. It is also worth mentioning that the fish will constantly eat young algae leaves. Cichlids will be especially active during spawning.

Compatibility

1. This type of cichlid is practically no different from its relatives. Nicaraguan cichlisoma is just as territorial. Therefore, it will attack everyone who approaches its place or nest. In this case, she shows special aggression.
2. It is recommended to keep such individuals only with other cichlids. They get along well with salvini, meeka, bee and blackstripe. Nicaraguan cichlids are used to staying in pairs. Therefore, it is recommended to take an even number of couples so that they independently decide who will be with whom.

How to distinguish a female from a male

1. To distinguish the female from the male representatives of this species, you will have to work hard. The task is not easy. The male is distinguished by its larger size and a pointed fin on its back. He also has a fatty lump on his forehead.
2. But do not forget about the fact that the cone swells only during the mating season. The female can be distinguished by its bright color and smaller size.

Breeding

1. Such cichlids can spawn in an aquarium without any problems. Females spawn in pre-dug holes. Such fish need a lot of shelters and caves. The eggs of such individuals are not sticky, so they do not throw them onto a flat surface.
2. The female begins to spawn at a water temperature of 26 degrees. After just 3 days, the fry begin to emerge. After another 5 days, the young begin to swim. From this moment on, the fry can be fed.

Nicaraguan cichlazomas are quite aggressive fish. Therefore, it is better to keep them with other cichlids. Take care of the correct conditions of detention. Create a favorable atmosphere in the aquarium.

Video: Nicaraguan cichlasoma (Cichlasoma nicaraguense)

Original name: Heros nicaraguensis.

Synonyms: Copora nicaraguense, Copora nicaraguensis, Cichlasoma nicaraguense, Herichthys nicaraguensis, Theraps nicaraguensis, Hypsophrys unimaculatus (?), Heros balteatus, Cichlasoma balteatum, Cichlasoma spilotum.

Russian name: Cichlazoma Nicaraguan.

Other languages: Nicaragua Cichlid, Butterfly cichlid, Moga, Spilotum, Nicaragua-cichlide, Nikaragua Buntbarsch, Rotfleckcichlide, Traumbarsch.

Etymology: Species name - in accordance with the place of capture of the type specimen.

Range: Central America, Pacific slope. Nicaragua, Costa Rica. Volcanic lakes and the San Juan River basin. The type specimen was caught in Lake Nicaragua.

Appearance: Length - males up to 25 cm TL, females up to 20 cm TL. The body is elongated and high. Color of the female: the head and back are bright blue, the lower and rear parts of the body are golden yellow. A black stripe stretches from the gill cover to the caudal peduncle, turning into a round spot in the middle of the body. Males have body coloration of pale bluish and golden-pink tones. The iris of the eye is golden. The fins are golden at the base and with a blue edging; in the male, they have pronounced specks. The dorsal and anal fins are elongated. Fry and juveniles are gray-yellow with a dark longitudinal stripe.

Sexual differences: The male is larger, less brightly colored than the female, his dorsal and anal fins are longer and have a reddish mosaic pattern.

Young females of Hypsophrys nicaraguensis may initially outstrip their male counterparts in height. Because of this and their brighter colors, novice aquarists often mistake females for males.

Biotope: Inhabits various Central American biotopes, both river and lake, with slow-flowing or standing water. The soil is rocky, clayey, or white sand, with a lot of silt.

Water parameters:

In nature: hardness 10-25 dGH, pH 7.2-8.2, temperature 24-27°C.

Dilution: hardness 10–25 dGH, pH 7–8.5, temperature 26–28°C.

In nature: algae, insects, crustaceans, mollusks, small fish.

In the aquarium: live food, frozen food, vegetable food, shrimp, granules, flakes.

Contents: Aquarium volume from 200 l. They can be kept as a pair, a harem, or together with other cichlids. Reviews from aquarists about the degree of aggressiveness of this species are contradictory. According to some reports, it is a peaceful species; There is also information in the literature that both in nature and in aquariums, Hypsophrys nicaraguensis helps other cichlids protect eggs and fry (see note). According to other reviews, they have a cocky character. In an aquarium, shelters made of stones and driftwood are desirable. Before spawning, they dig up the soil, making large holes. They can eat soft, tender plants. Filtration, aeration, and weekly changes of 20–30% of the water volume are required.

Breeding: Mature at the age of 7–15 months with a length of 6–9 cm. Spawning aquarium from 150 l, with soil. Fertility: 400–1000 eggs. The eggs are transparent and, unlike all other cichlases, non-sticky. In nature, to preserve eggs, they dig holes in the ground or use rocky crevices. They also dig holes in the aquarium or, if there is a grotto of the appropriate size, they can spawn in it. The larvae hatch in 2–4 days, and after another 4–5 days they begin to swim in search of food. Starter food: small zooplankton. The female takes care of the eggs and fry, the male guards the territory.

Note: Underwater observations conducted by ichthyologist Kenneth McKem indicate unique behavioral features of Hypsophrys nicaraguensis in nature: the males of these fish are engaged in protecting the juveniles of other cichlases, incl. Parachromis dovii. This large predatory species feeds on fish, including Nicaraguan cichlids, but at the time of reproduction it itself becomes easily vulnerable. Small predator fish eat the clutches and fry of P. dovii. According to observations, two males of H. nicaraguensis guarded another's brood for six weeks, incl. and after catching the parents, and even more actively. During this time, the naturalist never had to observe that the parents tried to attack them. As a result of the analysis, it was found that with helpers it was possible to save more than two times more fry than without them. It was also noted that H. nicaraguensis, which spawned on the top of an underwater cliff (the P. dovii nest was located below, at its foot), defended their own offspring less actively.

In our country, Nicaraguan cichlazoma has been kept since 1979.

Seeing a gray inconspicuous fry with a black stripe in the middle of the body in the store, it is difficult to imagine that it is one of the most beautiful, but underrated cichlids - Nicaraguan cichlids. You can rarely see them in breeders' aquariums, because they are not very popular. But in vain, such a large and colorful fish should not be ignored.

With age, the Nicaraguan cichlazoma (lat. Hypsophrys nicaraguensis) only becomes more beautiful, changing its olive color to a bright golden-azure color. Neon blue covers the head and gill covers of the fish, smoothly turning into a yellow-orange color. The abdomen becomes reddish, and a black collar stretches along the body. With age, this stripe may fade or even disappear completely, leaving two points - in the middle of the body and near the tail. Transparent fins have a turquoise edge; males have black spots on their unpaired fins.

The first fish was caught in the Nicaragua River, which flows in Central America. In addition to this reservoir, it is found in the San Juan River basin and in the volcanic lakes of Costa Rica. It appeared in Russian aquariums in 1979.

The Nicaraguan cichlid is a fairly large fish, growing up to 25 cm in nature, and up to 20 cm in a home aquarium. In order for it to live comfortably, it is worth providing it with enough space and a large number of shelters - like all cichlids, it is a territorial creature.

• aquarium volume – 100 liters per couple; in small, overcrowded containers they show aggression and cockiness;
• grottoes and, which will be used as shelters;
• soil – fine rolled gravel, quartz sand, in which fish will happily burrow;
• tough-leaved plants with a well-developed root system - tender shoots will be eaten, and unsupported vegetation will be dug up;
• filtration and aeration are required;
• temperature: 24-27 °C;
• hardness: 10-20 dH;
• acidity: 7-8 pH;
• weekly water changes 25-30%;
• moderate lighting; if there is insufficient lighting, cichlazomas will have a dark color; if too much, they will fade.

She is not picky about feeding, eats all types of dry and live food:

• bloodworm;
• coretra.

Since in nature a significant part of the diet is plant food, do not forget about fertilizing:

• tablets with added spirulina;
• cucumber;
• zucchini;
• spinach;
• salad.

Sex differences

Like others, the Nicaraguan cichlid is monogamous and chooses a mate for life. It is impossible to determine the sex before the onset of puberty, so it is worth taking a school of fish of 6-8 pieces and raising them together to give you the opportunity to choose a suitable mate.

The fish have become sexually mature - it’s time to determine their gender. Fortunately, sexual dimorphism in adults is clearly pronounced:

Breeding

As soon as a pair is selected, when the individuals reach sexual maturity, which occurs at 8-9 months, it is worth thinking about reproduction. Spawning can take place both in a general aquarium and in a spawning tank.

• The second option is preferable, since it eliminates concern due to the aggressive behavior of neighbors, and also allows the fry to be provided with high-quality care.
• If spawning occurs in an undesirable location, it is better not to transplant the spawners, otherwise they may become stressed and eat the eggs.

As a spawning tank, you can use a 50-60-liter aquarium in which the breeders are placed. The bottom is lined with fine gravel, in which the female can dig a hole and use it as a nest. To stimulate spawning it is necessary:

• raise the water temperature to 27-29 °C;
• increase the proportion of high-protein feeds in the diet;
• periodically replace 30% of the water with fresh water.

After the couple is ready to spawn, the male performs his mating dance, and the female digs a hole in the ground and lays eggs in it, which are immediately fertilized by the male. The eggs of the Nicaraguan cichlazoma are non-sticky and quite large - 2 mm in diameter. The clutch size can range from 400 to 1000 eggs, it all depends on the size and age of the female.

While the male jealously guards the nest, the female takes care of the clutch, carefully sorting out the eggs. The incubation period lasts from 2 to 4 days, after which the larvae hatch with a yolk sac. 4-5 days after hatching, this sac dissolves, and the fry begin to swim in search of food. It's time for starter feed.

Care of juveniles

“Live dust” is used as a starter feed. It is best to prepare it before spawning in order to satisfy the fry’s need for nutritious food in time. To prepare it, a culture of ciliates is taken and diluted in a jar. A few drops of milk and a dried banana peel are used to feed the colony, and the jar itself should be covered with a lid and kept in a dark and warm place.

In addition to “live dust”, fry can be given:

• small daphnia;
• Artemia nauplii;
• Cyclops;
• grated boiled yolk.

As they grow older, larger foods are added to the diet of the juveniles.

All this time, the parents protect the offspring, help them eat, lifting mud from the bottom and biting into large food for them. But as soon as the juveniles reach a size of about 1 cm, it is better to remove the breeders, because their parental instinct disappears, and they will not mind snacking on their brood.

In order for the fry to grow healthy, the nursery aquarium must be kept clean. It is necessary to remove dead fry and leftover food in a timely manner, otherwise they may decompose and spoil the water. It is advisable to grade the brood, removing fish that are lagging in growth and providing them with intensive nutrition.

Compatibility

Nicaraguan cichlids are moderately aggressive cichlids. They show their cockiness during the spawning period or during overcrowding. It is best to keep them in a species aquarium with fish of similar size and temperament.