This large cichlid, which can grow up to 30 cm in length, has a wide distribution throughout South America. Despite its modest colouration and considerable size this species is well known in the fish tanks of the aquarium hobbyist, mainly because of the interesting behaviour and the lack of aggressiveness against fellow tank mates. Especially during the breeding phase these fish display a touching caring for their offspring. As with the discus fish the larvae are fed during the first phase of life with the secrete of the parents body mucous developed by the skin cells. The raising of the young is not complicated because they eat all available food and losses are rare. Around a length of 5 cm these fish need to be fed with vegetarian food like for instance lettuce. Grown up these cichlids live mainly on a vegetarian diet and even the hardest aquarium plants are devoured. Therefore one should take only.(Text & Photo: Thomas Weidner)
| Angaben zum Tier | |
|---|---|
| Herkunft | Brasilien, Amazonas, Rio Negro |
