Description

Cichlazoma labiatum is another very large representative of American cichlids, which is difficult to advise for keeping behind the glass of a room aquarium. But for the settlement of large capacities of offices and lobbies of enterprises, it is quite suitable. Its appearance and dimensions will help create the image of your organization.

The main distinguishing feature is the large lips, which, when viewed in profile, resemble a paired cock's comb, which in Latin sounds like labiatus (double comb). By appearance, especially on early stages development, they are easily confused with citron cichlazoma. Because of this it happens a large number of uncontrolled hybridizations of these two species. Because of this, some authors argue that it is almost impossible to meet a purebred Amphilophus labiatum behind the glasses of Eurasian aquariums. They differ from lemon cichlases in color. But this sign is quite variable, so it cannot be guided by it. A more reliable sign is the shape of the head. Their snout is more elongated, reminiscent of a fox's muzzle. It ends with large, as if inflated with air or silicone :-) lips. In citrons, the head is less elongated, the lips have more modest dimensions.

In the bosom of nature, it reaches 30 - 35 centimeters in length. Behind the glass of the aquarium, it usually has half the length.
Color from dirty yellow to bright orange. Life expectancy at good conditions maintenance for about 15 years.

Cichlasoma dorsatum is strongly territorial, especially during spawning. Predator. They become sexually mature when they reach about 9-15 months of age. The number of eggs for each clutch is very variable, depending on the maturity, as well as the length of the female. It may number in the hundreds or thousands.
Sex Differences: Females are smaller than males about one and a half to two times. Male organisms have longer ends of the dorsal, anal fins. Also, their head is decorated with a fatty growth, which has the largest dimensions in the dominant male. Females of the lipped cichlazoma mature later than males. This must be taken into account when trying to create a pair ready for spawning. A mature male, not having achieved reciprocity from an immature girlfriend, can beat her to death.
The content of aquarium fish cichlazoma labiatum is relatively complex. Territorial, aggressive. Aggression can be somewhat reduced when co-grown with other individuals from a young age, as well as when using a larger aquarium.
The capacity of the vessel is unacceptable for a city apartment. After all, one individual needs about 200 liters of water. And with the content of one pair, a vessel with a capacity of at least three hundred liters is required.

The soil should be selected in dark tones that correspond to the soil of the lakes of the natural habitat of Cichlasoma dorsatum. The dark color of the ground helps, to a certain extent, to calm down Herichthys labiatus somewhat extinguishing their aggressiveness.
As a soil, you need to use coarse or medium fraction gravel dark shades. It is necessary to delimit the bottom by placing several large stones vertically approximately every forty centimeters. These stones will act as a visual boundary between the territories of individuals or formed pairs. It is also necessary to build caves, grottoes, canyons from large stones. They will serve as a safe haven for weaker neighbors or a female not ready for spawning. It would be desirable to decorate the bottom with snags, which will give a resemblance to the bottom of natural reservoirs in which the lipped cichlazoma lives.
Loves plants. Dense thickets will help hide a girlfriend or other fish who prefer to avoid a showdown with Amphilophus labiatum. But like all cichlazomas, Amphilophus labiatum digs the ground, so they can dig out green bushes. Nevertheless, it is worth at least trying to decorate their home with plants that have a strong root system and tough leaves. They can also be useful when designing underwater world fast growing species.
The cichlazoma labiatum imposes the same requirements on water parameters as other members of the family. The hardness can be in the range from 5 to 30°dH, the optimum is from 15 to 25°dH. pH 7.2 to 8. Can withstand short-term large temperature fluctuations from 1 to 50°C. However, it's not worth the experiment. The preferred temperature for keeping is the same as for most other cichlids from 24 to 26°C.
Lighting for fish is indifferent. Therefore, it can be selected according to your taste, as well as in accordance with the needs of the plants with which you tried to decorate this underwater world.
An aquarium with cichlazoma labiatum fish must be equipped with powerful aeration and filtration systems. It is desirable that the filter system be external in order to free up the internal volume of the tank, which is already critical for fish of this size. Even with a good filtration system - water aeration, it is necessary to remember to replace one quarter of its volume weekly.
Labiatums with citron cichlazoma should not be kept due to their ability to freely interbreed.
There are no problems with food. They will eat everything or almost everything that you offer them. Almost all varieties of live, frozen or dry food. Only liver, chicken meat should be avoided. You can feed bloodworms with earthworms, small crustaceans and mollusks. Large pieces of food, for example, earthworms, it is desirable to chop a little. It is necessary to remember about vegetable dressings. Especially plants or fruits that contain a large amount of carotenoids and procarotenoids. So, for example, it was noticed that in order to maintain a bright orange color, it is necessary to add paprika to food ( Bell pepper) together with crustaceans - brine shrimp.
Breeding has its own characteristics. So, for example, it must be remembered that the female individuals of the lipped cichlazoma had the imprudence in the process of evolution to acquire the ability to mature later than the males. This could end badly for them. However, some authors point out that it is just an immature girlfriend who can give an inadequately cruel rebuff to the unlucky loving gentleman. Be that as it may, when lagging behind physiological development females, one of the prospective sires can suffer greatly when trying to find out how the object of his desires relates to him. Also bad idea to plant in one vessel adult Cichlasoma dorsatum, which had never seen each other before. In this scenario, the likelihood of a fight is even higher. Most best option- this is the content of producers in one container separated by a transparent partition until the moment when signs of mutual favor appear. After that, you can try to remove the partition. Don't forget to keep an eye on what's going on. It is possible that the partition will have to be put in place for some more time. After pairing, you can try to stimulate spawning. To do this, replace one quarter of the volume of water with fresh settled water and gradually raise its temperature by 2 - 4 degrees Celsius. Amphilophus labiatum will choose some secluded place, and then, having cleaned any flat stone from algae and dirt, they will lay eggs on it from several hundred to several thousand. This is determined by the size and maturity of the female. Incubation lasts about 3 days after another 4-6 days, the larvae become fry, take a horizontal position and begin to feed near the native stone under the supervision of caring parents. In nature, cichlazoma labiatum feeds its offspring with a special skin secret, which begins to be produced by the time the offspring appears. IN artificial conditions You can help your pets by feeding their offspring with Artemia or its nauplii. Up to about two weeks, the fry, at the slightest danger, can hide in their father's mouth. During spawning, do not disturb the fish. In order to own security don't put your fingers in the water. Especially it is necessary to ensure that children do not do this. Pisces are aggressive and can injure the impudent enough to be seen in your finger.

Tsikhlazoma labiatum or lipped cichlazoma (lat. Amphilophus labiatus, formerly Cichlasoma labiatum) seems to be created for large, exhibition aquariums. This is a very large fish native to Central America, which reaches a body length of 38 cm in nature, and is one of the most aggressive cichlids.

The labiatum can have very different colors, in nature it is dark brown, which allows it to successfully camouflage. But, amateurs brought out all kinds of colors and colors, especially considering that the labiatum quite successfully interbreeds with another large and related fish -. Now there are a lot of descendants of both fish on sale.

But, besides being brightly colored, cichlazoma labiatum is also very charismatic. She quickly gets used to the owner, recognizes him, and when he enters the room, he literally pursues with his eyes, begging for food. But, in addition to the mind, she also has a disgusting character and sharp teeth.

For this, in English-speaking countries, the labiatum is even called Red Devil. Although in adolescence they live with various fish, but becoming sexually mature they cannot tolerate any other fish, especially their own species. If you are interested in keeping a big-lipped cichlazoma, then you need either a very large aquarium, or keep them separately.

These fish are medium in complexity of keeping, it is enough to monitor the water parameters and feed them with high quality.

Lip cichlazoma is often confused with another, very looking like- citron cichlazoma. And in some sources they are considered one fish. Although outwardly they are not much different, they are genetically different.

For example, it is slightly smaller in size and reaches 25 - 35 cm, and the labiatum is 28 cm. Their habitats are also different, the citron comes from Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and the labiatum lives only in the lakes of Nicaragua.

One of the reasons for this substitution was that the amount of lemon cichlazoma in nature has sharply decreased, and demand is high, and dealers began to sell other fish under the guise of citron, especially since they are very similar.

Thus everything was mixed up, and many fish sold in this moment under one of the names, in fact, a hybrid between and labiatum.

Habitat in nature

Cichlazoma labiatum was first described by Gunther in 1865. It lives in Central America, in Nicaragua, in the lakes of Managua, Nicaragua, Hiola.

It prefers calm waters without strong currents and is rarely found in rivers. They keep places with big amount shelters where they can hide in case of danger. And this danger is no joke, as they live in the only lake in the world, Nicaragua, where freshwater sharks live.

Labiatums feed on small fish, snails, larvae, worms, and other benthic organisms.

Description

Strong and massive fish, with pointed anal and dorsal fin. This is a large cichlid, reaching a length of 38 cm. To grow up to full size, cichlazoma labiatum needs about 3 years, but they become sexually mature at a body length of 15 cm. Average duration life 10-12 years.

At the moment, there are many different colors that are different from natural. Since freshwater sharks live in Lake Nicaragua, the natural color is purely functional - protective.

Aquarists also brought out all sorts of colors, yellow, orange, white, various mixtures.

Difficulty in content

Although the cichlazoma labiatum is a very unpretentious fish, it is difficult to call it suitable for beginners.

She, of course, tolerates very different water parameters without problems and eats everything you give her, but she grows very large and very aggressive, hardly enduring her neighbors in the aquarium.

Feeding

Labiatums are omnivorous, they eat all kinds of food in the aquarium: live, frozen, artificial.

The basis of feeding can be high-quality food for large cichlids, and additionally feed the fish with live food: bloodworm, coretra, brine shrimp, tubifex, gammarus, worms, crickets, mussel and shrimp meat, fish fillet.

You can also use vegetables as bait: sliced ​​cucumber and zucchini, lettuce. Feeding fiber prevents the development of a common disease, when a non-healing wound appears in the head of cichlids and the fish die despite treatment.

It is better to feed two to three times a day, in small portions, to avoid the accumulation of food debris in the soil.

It is important to know that feeding on the meat of mammals, so popular in past years, is now considered harmful. Such meat contains a large amount of proteins and fats, which the gastrointestinal tract of fish does not digest well.

As a result, the fish gets fat, work is disrupted internal organs. You can give such feed, but infrequently, about once a week.

This is a very large cichlid that needs a spacious aquarium. For one fish you need 250 liters, for a pair 500, and if you are going to keep them with other fish, then even more.

Given the size of the fish and the fact that it feeds mainly on protein foods, it is necessary to use a powerful external filter, however, the labiatum does not like the current and it is better to use a flute.

Although they are undemanding to water parameters, they need high level oxygen in water. Water parameters for keeping: 22-27 ° C, ph: 6.6-7.3, 6 - 25 dGH

It is better to use sand as a soil, as these are enthusiastic diggers and plants in the aquarium will not live long.

They will either be dug up, or uprooted, or eaten. It is important that the aquarium has plenty of hiding places where the fish can hide in times of stress.

Decor and equipment in the aquarium must be protected, as fish can dig it, move it, and even break it.

It is desirable to hide the heater behind some object. The aquarium must be covered, as fish can jump out of it.

Compatibility

Known for their aggressiveness. Labiatums are very territorial, and treat both their own kind and other species equally badly. Because of this, they are best kept separately.

They can live with others big fish while they grow, but when they grow up, the neighbors are poorly tolerated.

The only way to successfully keep labiatums with other fish is to put them in a very large aquarium with lots of hiding places, caves, and snags. But this is not a guarantee that they will be able to get along with other species.

Sex differences

In the male labiatum, the genital papilla is pointed, while in the female it is blunt. Also, the male is much larger, and he develops a fat bump on his forehead in the aquarium, although in nature it is present only during spawning.

reproduction

Cichlazoma labiatum breeds successfully in the aquarium. This cichlid forms a permanent pair that spawns on inclined surfaces.

For one spawning, she lays about 600-700 eggs, which are translucent or slightly yellow. The female takes care of the eggs and fry. At a temperature of 25 ° C, the larva hatches after 3 days.

After 5-7 days, the fry begins to swim. You can feed him with brine shrimp nauplii, in addition, they peck the secret from the skin of their parents.

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Habitat

Uruguay, Nicaragua, Brazil, lakes Nicaragua and Managua.

Description

In the aquarium 17-25 cm. Wild fish have a rather nondescript gray color, some have orange or red tints. Hobby hybridization has reached such an extent that it is difficult to find purebred fish.

Available color forms: brown-gray with and without dark spots, white, gray, as well as various shades of yellow, orange and red, from pale golden and pink to orange-red. Decorated with black spots, and most importantly, fleshy lips - these protruding forward, as if inflated lips distinguish individuals caught in natural reservoirs.

Mature males tend to be larger and leaner than females, with a more spectacular occipital hump on an amber-yellow head, with a black vertical stripe running across the eye. These humps only develop during the breeding season in nature, but in aquaria many specimens have a huge bump all the time. On the sides are shiny pearls of blue spots. Bright blue dots adorn the head, dorsal and caudal fins are decorated with bright blue and red stripes.

The male dorsal and anal fins are elongated. Females are much smaller, almost 2 times, and less bright, with wide black vertical stripes on a light brown background. Large black round spots in the middle part of the body. Their dorsal fin is short and rounded with only a hint of red and Blue colour. Juveniles are gray-yellow with dark dots. Young A. labiatus and A. citrinellus are difficult to distinguish. One of the color variations received an independent scientific description and, for its amazing red color in black spots, it is called - Red Devil.

Aggressive, territorial look. Keeping more than one male in any aquarium is undesirable, regardless of their size. Females have a hierarchy with a dominant female who drives others out of a small occupied territory. If the female is not ready for spawning, then she can give a serious rebuff to the male. Males, as a rule, do not allocate territory. A spacious aquarium is needed with plenty of cover, providing as many visual barriers as possible (rocks, caves, large flowerpots) to be stable, they will try to move them anyway.

You can try anchoring the plastic plants with rocks, but don't expect them to stay there for long. Heaters and any other equipment are best hidden behind rocky structures, and very strong suction cups should be used on any piping. The filter itself must be large and effective for cleaning the mass biological waste produced by this greedy, dirty fish. A heavy lid is needed to prevent jumping out of the aquarium during arousal, of which there will be many.

Keeps in the middle and lower layers of water. In a spacious aquarium they get along with other large cichlids. Smaller fish are treated as food. The soil is pebbles or gravel. Large quantities of substrate will move around the aquarium daily. Aeration, filtration and large water changes are required. Will try to eat anything that looks edible. Despite their massive head and large jaws, it is difficult for them to eat large pieces of food, so you need to grind pieces of mussels or earthworms.

To achieve an intense red coloration, fish are fed with special food or sweet paprika along with brine shrimp.

Breeding

Breeding is very difficult because males slaughter females when replanting them in an aquarium. Caviar is laid on a pre-prepared substrate (flower pot, flat stone) located in hard-to-reach places for other fish species. Parents guard the clutch, and then the juveniles. dH 5-30°; pH 6.0-8.0; T 24-26°C.

As can be seen from the decimal point in the scientific name, the history of the genus Cichlasoma Swainson, 1839 began in the 19th century. It was this genus that prevailed in the aquarium literature of the last millennium, but the revisions of the last decades tried to put everything in its place - the fish, presented under the collective name cichlazoma, returned the names according to the original descriptions. In addition, completely new genera were isolated. However, the old name - "cichlazoma", denoting the entire group as a whole and numbering 15 genera, remained in use, both among amateurs and ichthyologists. It is customary to write it in quotation marks.

The following are the "Cichlazomes" that are found in cichlid aquariums:

Amphilophus -Amphilophus Agassiz, 1858

Archocentrus - Archocentrus Gill & Bransford, 1877 already in our millennium, some species from the genus archocentrus began to be attributed to the new genus Cryptoheros Cryptoheros (Allgayer, 2001)

Kopora Copora Fernandez-Yepez, 1969 has recently been described as a completely new genus

Hypsophrys - Hypsophrys Kullander & Hartel, 1997

Herichthys - Herichthys Baird & Girard, 1854 Heros - Heros Heckel, 1840

Hypselecara - Hypselecara Kullander

Mesonauta - Mesonauta Guenther, 1862

Nandopsis -Nandopsis Gill, 1862

Thorichthys - Thorichthys Meek, 1904

Vaya - Vieja Fernandez-Yepez, 1969

The remaining 4 genera, including true cichlases, have never been represented in our aquariums.

However, among fans around the world they are very rare.

Caquetaia Fowler, 1945

Chuko - Chuco Fernandez-Yepez, 1969 Cichlasoma Swainson, 1839 Theraps - Theraps Guenther, 1862

The scientific names of the fish below correspond to the most recent systematic data.

"Cichlazoma" lipped - Amphilophus labiatum (Guenther, 1864) - a large Central American cichlid that lives in large lakes Nicaragua. It is distinguished by large lips, which are especially pronounced in the largest specimens. Several color variations of the lipped cichlazoma are known, one of which received an independent scientific description and, for its amazing red color in black spots, the red devil. The variability in the color of natural individuals is great - from orange-orange to light, whitish with indefinitely shaped spots. The same size of fish, close habitats and similar coloration of some variations served to ensure that all similar fish combined into one species with citron cichlazoma A. citrinellum (Guenther, 1864). Under favorable conditions, both species grow in aquariums to sizes of 30 cm or more. They reproduce without problems and are very prolific. It is believed that the citron cichlazoma recognizes its fry from the fry of its neighbors of the same species by smell, and it is by smell that it distinguishes them from fry of other cichlids. This smell is probably important for identifying exactly your fry during periods of mass reproduction of fish. different types inhabiting the same biotopes of the lake within the same zone. It is from these fish that the multi-colored parrot cichlids, popular with beginners, originated. Their color is largely determined by special coloring feeds, without the addition of which they quickly discolor.

"Cichlazoma" wine-finned or sahika - Cryptoheros sajica (Bussing, 1974) - a relatively small (up to 14 cm) "cichlazoma" that lives in southern Costa Rica. It got its name as an abbreviation for the name of the ichthyologist Salvador Jiminez Canossa (Salvador Jiminez Canossa). Pisces are quite calm, but they can stand up for themselves. Like all cichlids of Central America, these "cichlazomes" prefer hard water with a slightly alkaline reaction. Breeding is not difficult. Previously, they were assigned to the genus Archocentrus.

According to the conditions of detention, it is very similar to Cr. sajika pink cichlazoma Cryptoheros septemfasciatus (Regan, 1908). This species is widely distributed throughout Costa Rica, but is quite rare among aquarists. Of the species known and widespread in our aquariums, the genus Cryptocheros currently includes the black-striped "cichlazoma" and spilurum.

"Cichlazoma-hawk" Hypselecara temporalis(Guenther, 1862) - one of the most beautiful peace-loving cichlids of the Amazon, lives in approximately the same areas as discus. Males grow to sizes over 30 cm, females are smaller. The fish were previously known as Crass cichlazoma. In aquariums, they prefer to hide among snags and in thickets of plants. The color of the fish reaches its apogee in the second or third year of life. Males develop a huge fat pad on their forehead. Breeding is not difficult, it is only important to raise the fish properly. Unfortunately, the fry are painted in a rather nondescript grey-brown tones.

"Cichlazoma" Nicaraguan - Hypsophrys nicaraguense (Guenther, 1864) - one of the cichlids with unusual behavior and breeding habits. It lives in Lake Nicaragua and the rivers of the adjacent basin, which reflects the name of the fish. The water in the lake at the surface can warm up to 32 degrees, relatively hard and slightly alkaline pH 8.5 - 8.7. In its composition, it is very suitable for the African Great Lakes, so Nicaraguan cichlases can be combined with non-aggressive African cichlids, as well as representatives of the Melanoteniev family.

The greenish-turquoise color characteristic of adult females is unparalleled among cichlids. This color has only been observed in some marine parrot fish (Scarus sp.) and in females of Baikal yellowfly gobies in spawning coloration. Males are also beautiful in their own way. Fish grow up to 24 cm, but smaller in aquariums. Peaceful as far as cichlids can be in general. In nature, they feed on algae, insect larvae and small snails. This must be taken into account in order to ensure health, bright colors and the ability to reproduce. Breeding is not a big problem. The couple spawns on a solid stone substrate, previously cleared of sand. It is interesting to note that, unlike other cichlases, Nicaraguan caviar is not sticky and causes a lot of trouble for producer fish. They have to constantly collect it in a pile. Otherwise, everything happens, as in other species.

Underwater observations made in the mid-seventies by Kenneth McKay and described in The American Naturalist pointed to the unique behavior of H. nicaraguense in nature. The behavior of males of these fish engaged in the protection of juveniles of another species, Dovi's cichlazoma (Nandopsis dovii), was described in detail. The latter is the largest cichlazoma, reaching a weight of 7 kg and more than half a meter in length. This predatory species, which feeds on fish, including Nicaraguan cichlazomas, becomes easily vulnerable at the time of reproduction. small predators, among which cichlids neetropluses (Neetroplus nematopus) and citron cichlids, as well as predatory gobies (Gobiomorus dormitator), attack Dovey fry and eat them. Two male Nicaraguan cichlazoma have been observed guarding a N. dovii brood for six weeks. During this period, the naturalist has never observed that the producers of c. Dovies tried to attack altruistic males. After being captured by the Dovey cichlid, the Nicaraguans continued to guard their nest even more actively. As a result of the analysis, it was found that with their help c. Dowie managed to keep more than twice as many fry as without helpers. It was also noted that H. nicaraguense males spawning on the top of an underwater cliff (the Dovey nest was located deeper, at its foot) were less active in protecting their own offspring. These are such wonderful fish!

"Cichlazoma" diamond - Herichthys carpinte (Jordan & Snyder, 1899) - for many years was known to amateurs as cichlazoma cyanoguttatum. The name of the fish reflects their distribution in the Carpinte lagoon of the system of the Rio Conchos, Rio Soto and Rio Panuco basins. caribbean. The water in which fish live in natural conditions is very hard and slightly alkaline. The size of the fish is up to 30 cm, the females are smaller. Brilliant cichlomas got their common name for their bright iridescent color, especially during spawning and caring for juveniles. In strong specimens of diamond cichlases, the bright color is preserved even in normal times. Starting from a size of about 10 cm, fish are able to bear offspring, which can amount to many hundreds of fry. Especially high temperature Fish don't need water at all. At 24 degrees, juveniles hatch on the fourth day and then grow very quickly. The nature of the fish is quite calm and allows them to be kept in the collection of large American cichlids of similar temperament. However, in this case, it is desirable to have a larger aquarium (2 or more meters long).

"Cichlazoma" severum - Heros severus Heckel, 1840 - inhabitant of the Amazon. For a long time, representatives of the genus Heros Heckel, 1840, described 160 years ago in the amount of three species, belonged to the genus Cichlazoma, especially in aquarium literature. However, after the revision, everything fell into place and now this genus is represented by 5 different, but very similar species, with natural sizes varying from 20 to 30 cm.

Fish, despite their large size, are peaceful, but some plants, nevertheless, eat and dig. Suitable for large species aquariums with large calm views. Proper feeding should combine animal and vegetable components. In this case, reproduction does not cause problems. As a result of selection work, the golden form of the severum was bred and fixed, which is bred in mass quantities for aquarists in the countries of Southeast Asia.

Cichlazoma Mesonauta

Mesonauta - Mesonauta festivus (Heckel, 1840) - is widespread throughout almost the entire Amazon and Orinoco basins. Several local color forms are known. The name of the mesonout has been preserved since the time of Zolotnitsky, although 20 years ago in the literature on aquarism and ichthyology, fish were called nothing more than cichlazoma festivum. Currently, the mesonaut genus includes 5 species of very similar friend on a friend.

The nature of the mesonaut is quite peaceful, but they eat some types of plants with pleasure. Conditions of keeping and breeding, as in other Amazonian species.

Burton's "cichlazoma" - Nandopsis bartoni (Bean, 1892) - originally caught in the Mexican Rio Verdi river was named after the curator of ichthyology of the American National Museum— Barton A. Bean, at first as Acar Barton.

Under natural conditions, these fish were almost exterminated during the thoughtless introduction of the golden tilapia (Oreochromis aureus) and were included in the Red Book in 1990. Nevertheless, they are perfectly preserved as interesting aquarium objects. At home, the fish grow up to 24 cm, in the aquarium it is much (most often twice) smaller.

Flowing lakes and coastal thickets of water lilies define the biotope of Barton's cichlazoma. Apparently due to the abundance of aquatic vegetation in the nature around them, these fish are quite careful about plants in the aquarium. Reproduction of fish is not difficult, it is noted that these cichlomas are very fond of laying eggs inside empty shells. gastropods(rapanov from the Black Sea).

"Cichlazoma" orange (Festa) - Nandopsis festae (Boulenger, 1899) - remarkably bright, but, unfortunately, very "evil" cichlazoma from the river basin (Rio Guayas and Rio Daule) of the Pacific coast of Ecuador. These fish are active predators and grow over 40 cm long. The larger the fish become, the more beautiful they are and the more unbearable they become for the aquarist and neighboring inhabitants of the aquarium. Feeding is also not easy. Young fish feed on almost any type of aquarium food, including bloodworms, coretra, live and frozen gammarus, but as they age, this is no longer enough and then pieces of fish, shrimp and crab meat must be added. The latter components are very important in order to ensure the health and fantastic brightness of the color of the fish. The joint maintenance of young orange cichlases, up to 15 - 18 cm in size, in an aquarium with large-sized neighbors usually does not cause problems, but then they gradually begin to show their “crown” innate habits. Sneak up, for example, to the fish from below and grab the stomach. So much so that they tear all the insides!

Breeding self-selected partners is not difficult. The fish are very prolific and the number of fry is in the thousands, often many. It is very difficult to feed such a horde, and cannibalism begins among the juveniles, which allows only the strongest to survive.

"Tsihlazoma" Managuan - Nandopsis managuense (Guenther, 1869) - similar to the previous species of fish, grow to a size of almost half a meter. The coloration of adults is exceptionally bright - iridescent with a large number of black spots of various sizes and shapes, like snake skin. By the way, the scales of fish also shimmer with all the colors of the rainbow, like the skin of a freshly molted snake. IN natural waters, Lake Managua (Nicaragua in Central America), as the name implies, the water is very warm and according to the information its temperature varies in the range of 25 - 36 degrees, and in some cases even higher. The water is hard and slightly alkaline with a pH of 8.5 - 8.8. In addition, it is slightly brackish, as evidenced by its high electrical conductivity (above 1000 microsiemens per centimeter). Given the above, the aquarium for keeping fish should be spacious - from one and a half meters. However, it is interesting to note that a self-formed pair of fish that has repeatedly laid eggs and then looked after them together can then be placed in a relatively small aquarium. For example, a pair of Managuan cichlases 35 cm male and 30 female can be perfectly kept in an aquarium measuring 80 x 45 x 45 cm. In crowded areas they live very friendly and become surprisingly tame.

"Cichlazoma" Meek - Thorichthys meeki (Brind, 1918) - or mask cichlazoma was first brought to Russia by a great aquarium lover, the famous puppeteer Sergei Vladimirovich Obraztsov. The name mask cichlid reflects the ability of these cichlids to widely inflate bright red (in good individuals) gills and frighten the enemy. At the same time, the figure formed in this way resembles a terrible Indian mask with four eyes. The word Meek means, traditionally, in the German manner, the pronounced name of the zoologist Dr. S. Yu. Mik (1859 - 1914), in memory of which this cichlazoma was named. The homeland of fish is the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico, as well as Belize and Guatemala). The size of the fish is not large and rarely exceeds 15 cm. Individuals caught in Mexico and Guatemala have the brightest color. In the waters of Guatemala, in addition, there are specimens with an amazing golden color. Fish, unlike the previous species, are peaceful, but they should not be planted in the same aquarium with every little thing, since fry and small species can be perceived by Meekami as food. The content and breeding of the mask "cichlazoma" is not a problem. The fish lay their eggs on a solid substrate and actively look after the larvae and fry, scaring off the enemy in the general aquarium. At one time, two more species were imported, similar to Meek cichlases, and now torichthys. These are Elliot's "cichlazoma" (Th. ellioti Meek, 1915) and Geller's "cichlazoma" (Th. helleri Steindachner, 1864). Keeping and breeding is similar to Meeka.

"Tsihlazoma" red-headed - Vieja synspilus (Hubbs, 1936) - differs from other species in its beautiful coloring of the head. Fish are common in the reservoirs of southern Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. They grow to sizes over 30 cm, so they need a large, preferably over a meter long aquarium. They are found in biotopes of a very diverse nature, but in slowly flowing waters, including among flooded trees and snags. In nature, they feed on small shrimps and crabs, which should be taken into account when compiling their aquarium diet. Only in this case it is possible to guarantee the excellent coloration of adults. In breeding, red-headed cichlazomas are somewhat more capricious than other species and, first of all, this is due to inadequate feeding. Give them plenty of shrimp, live amphipods (or small crayfish) and there will be no problems. In the early 1980s, a very similar cichlid, the so-called black-belted cichlid Vieja maculicauda (Regan, 1905), was also found in our aquariums. Maculicauds are even more widespread than the previous species. Their range includes and sometimes brackish water Costa Rica and Panama. The conditions of keeping and breeding are identical to the red-headed cichlazoma.

The second name of the fish is labiatum, which Latin translates as "double cock's comb". It is easy to guess that such a name is related to the appearance of cichlazoma.

The habitat of this fish is Central America: lakes Nicaragua and Managua. The length of males reaches 35 cm, and females are only slightly smaller. As the name implies, the fish has a “cockscomb”, or rather, the shape of the lips, which in profile evokes just such associations. Cichlazoma occurs in nature with different colors: gray-brown with dark spots (or without them), red, orange, pinkish and golden. Lip cichlazoma can slightly change its shade depending on nutrition. It has been observed that in aquariums where the fish were additionally fed with red paprika, they were more saturated red.

Content Features

Since the natural habitat of fish is deep volcanic lakes, therefore, in order to maintain their life in an aquarium, you need to create a similar atmosphere. Therefore, the water should be around 25°C, with an acidity level of 7.5-8.2 and a hardness of 15-25.

Pebbles and gravel are suitable as soil. You also need to put some stones and objects that cichlazoma labiatum can use as caves. Filtration of water and its weekly replacement is required. Since live fish plants spoil quickly, it is better to use artificial ones instead.

Reproduction of the species

The length and age of the female determine her fecundity. For spawning, you need to raise the temperature of the water. On the 6th day, the fry should be fed with crustacean nauplii. Adults feed on pellets, shrimp, frozen food.

Although this territorial and aggressive species cannot get along with small fish, large cichlids will become good neighbors for them.