This big and beautiful cichlid features a varying coloration. Females are the typical dull gray-brown, while males will sport anything from violet, green, and blue metallic shades with rusty-colored highlights and sometimes black spots around the head. As the common name implies, in the wild, this fish sifts through the sand for its food. Because of this behavior, provide a tank with ample bottom area and a fine, soft gravel or sand. Rock and other decor is fine, as well. A large tank is also important because of the eventual adult size. This particular cichlid is peaceful with most other large cichlids, though they can be semi-aggressive toward other Fossochromis. They may also eat smaller tankmates, so choose carefully. A diet of frozen meaty foods and a basic flake or pellet should suffice. They are a typical mouth brooder.
Filed under Freshwater Fish by on Aug 31st, 2010. Comment. 
The Clown Knifefish is very beautiful and graceful, though it grows very large! A shimmering silver color, it’s most noticable feature would be the almost perfectly circular spots toward the fishes’ rear end. These spots increase and size and number as the fish matures. This fish can be difficult to keep due to it’s large adult size. It will eat any fish that can fit in its mouth, and actually prefers live food above all else. It is rather difficult to switch them to frozen. This fish is fragile when juvenile, so be sure to keep up with maintenance during the youth of this fish. Adult, or semi-adult specimens require a very large tank. Adults are territorial and will find a spot and stick to it. They require some kind of cave or tube for hiding, and they enjoy a planted tank with lots of floating varieties. Though it is big, it is docile. Tank mates should be large enough that they won’t be eaten, and they should also be on the calm side.
Filed under Freshwater Fish by on Aug 5th, 2010. Comment.
The True Parrot Cichlid, Hoplarchus psittacus, is native to the black waters of South America. They prefer soft, acidic, and very clean water, and do not tend to do well if pristine conditions are not met.True Parrots have a reputation for being notoriously difficult to spawn, lending to their rare offering in the aquarium trade. Males and females are nearly indistinguishable, both as juveniles and as adults. Juvenile specimens have camouflage coloration with dark green splotches alternating with light bands. At about 3-4 inches the fish begins to change to adult coloration, solid iridescent green.These fish require large spaces, as they reach an adult size of 10 to 13 inches. Not less than a 55 gallon tank is recommended for juveniles. The tank should be decorated with plenty of wood and other cover as they tend to be timid. They can also be finicky eaters, but will benefit from a varied offering of foods like spirulina, krill, cichlid pellets, and frozen foods as well.
Filed under Freshwater Fish by on Nov 14th, 2009. Comment.
