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Description
:
Cichlids
from Central America include those from Texas to Panama and inclusive
of Mexico. Most of these are medium large to large fishes and require
spacious tanks. These cichlids are generally robust and easy to
keep. They prefer neutral to slightly alkaline water of medium
hardness.
Many of
these fish are good diggers, re-arranging the aquascape as and when
they like. Due to their large size and aggressiveness, they are often
kept in a big tank and treated as pets. Many of them can also be
interactive, recognising their owners and behave in manners similar to
domestic pets. This is probably one of the main reasons in keeping
Central America Cichlids.
Males
are normally bigger, develop more elongated fins and nuchal hump on
their forehead. Most of these are open substrate spawner with a few
being cave spawners. Normally both parents will look after their
young.
Main
Species
The
various species that are of interest to aquarists include:
Guapotes,
such as Nandopsis (or parachromis) Dovii, N. Managuensis,
Loisellei and N.
(Cichlasoma) Salvani.
Thorichthys,
the most famous being the firemouths (T. Meeki). Cichlasoma,
such as C. Beani, and C. Pearsei. Archocentrus,
the most common being the Convict Cichlids (A. Nigrofasciatus). Vieja,
such as V. Argentea, V. Regani, and V.
Bifasciatum .
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