The orange chromide, Pseudetroplus maculatus, is a well-known aquarium fish and has not disappeared from the tanks of enthusiasts since it was first introduced. Recent studies indicate that the three species of cichlids from India (Pseudetroplus and Etroplus) are not so closely related to the cichlids (Cichlidae), but rather to the damselfishes (Pomacentridae). However, this is of no significance for aquaristic practice.
For many years only a xanthoristic (golden yellow) cultivated form of P. maculatus was available in the hobby. We are now very pleased to be able to offer the wild form once again, which is widespread in Sri Lanka and southern India. P. maculatus exhibits a slight polychromatism (= multicoloration). In every wild population there are some with a more yellow and some with a more grey basic coloration. One of the aquaristic challenges is to maintain this variety of colors in the aquarium over generations.
Pseudetroplus maculatus can be kept in pure freshwater or brackish water. The sexes do not differ in color or fin characteristics, but from the onset of sexual maturity (males with about 5 cm, females with about 4 cm length) the males are always larger than the females. The maximum length for males is around 9 cm. If the animals are the same age or come from the same import, and if you take the largest and the smallest specimen, you will practically always have a pair. Pseudetroplus form a parental family. They are open breeders, so the fish spawn openly on stones, wood or similar. The eggs sit on small stalks and therefore move when they are fanned. The fry are led by both parents. Similar to the discus, the parents feed their young partly with skin mucus.
For our customers: the animals have code 415803 on our stock list. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
