2x Nicaraguan Cichlid - Cichlasoma nicaraguense - DNZ pair

One of the largest cichlids is probably the Nicaragua Dream Cichlid or Nicaragua Cichlid, Chiclasoma nicaraguense, which, as its name suggests, originates from Lake Managua in Nicaragua, but also occurs in other lakes and rivers that flow into the Caribbean as far as Costa Rica. In aquaristics it counts since its first importation in 1859 as an old hand, which has a large fan circle. Since 1864 the Nicaraguan Cichlid has been systematized several times and repeatedly classified and described. It occurs in several varieties that differ according to origin: pure Nicaraguan cichlids tend to be brownish in base color, fish from Costa Rica appear more light blue to turquoise.

The Chichlasoma nicaraguense has a high-backed and laterally flat body with a pronounced head, especially in older males humps form on the forehead and a pronounced nape. Their lateral line starts behind the gills and is curved upwards. In ground color they are silvery turquoise, ocher to gray, the flanks can be golden yellow and fade with age. The head may also be yellow in color from the terminal to submaxillary mouth with the thick lip ridges to the nape. Some animals exhibit a longitudinal black band that begins behind the eye and extends to the root of the caudal fin. This line may be surrounded by turquoise fringes. Females that are ready to spawn exhibit distinct red coloration on the abdomen. The Nicaraguan Dream Perch is a very peaceful fish that tends to be a bit more reserved. Since it can reach a final size of almost 25 cm, the group-living perch is more suitable for large aquariums from 400 liters volume upwards. In company with other peaceful cichlids, tetras or catfishes it enriches an aquarium both by color and size and by its interesting breeding behavior. These animals can live up to 12 years!

The males differ optically already because of their size, because the females remain in this somewhat behind and become somewhat more massive. They also do not develop frontal humps or massive necks, but red bellies at spawning time and overall more magnificent colors. These perch are open breeders, so their fellow fish should be carefully selected. They lay their eggs in hollows they have dug themselves, but also on stones and roots, where they are sometimes guarded by several females together. The females can lay between 200 to even 1500 eggs and also protect the young after hatching, which is about 5 days after egg laying. They can be fed freshly hatched Artemia nauplii after another 6 days when their yolk sac has been consumed.

As mentioned earlier, the cichlid's aquarium should be at least 400 liters and well structured. In their natural habitats, the animals live at depths between 8 - 90 meters, depending on their occurrence, and therefore stay primarily in the lower to middle water zones. They prefer, like most cichlids, a light and fine substrate, they also need a structured reef, which offers both the possibility to swim through, but also to hide and as a visual protection. Flat stone slabs, such as slate facilitates the breeding phase for the females. The planting plays a rather subordinate role with these animals, why this may be found in the rear basin area and at the edge. As a fish with a preference for molluscs and small crustaceans, which it also digs out of the mulm, it probably does not bother them, but possibly they are dug out. A planting with bitter tasting Anubias is usually not gnawed and as a perching plant it is also less affected by the digging activity.

A sufficiently dimensioned filter should be connected to this aquarium, since this cichlid tends to burrow occasionally and stir up dirt accordingly. Good water hygiene generally serves its well-being and, not least, its readiness to spawn. Water values for these beautiful cichlids are ideally a total hardness of 9-20 °dGH, a KH between 2 and 8, a pH of 7-8.5 and a temperature between 24 and 28°C.

Nicaragua Dream Perches are not particularly assertive and should be socialized, if at all, rather with tetras and catfishes, possibly with other very peaceful perches. Invertebrates are less suitable - these will most likely be on the menu of the fish sooner or later.

In their habitat they feed on small crustaceans, molluscs and other invertebrates. Therefore, they should be fed mainly with live and frozen food in the aquarium, here the common varieties such as mosquito larvae, artemia, daphnia, cyclops, but also snails and mussel meat. Also a special granulated food for carnivorous cichlids like NatureHolic Cichfeed can be acclimated.

Our Chiclasoma nicaraguense are supplied as pairs and are German bred.

Our feed recommendation: The NatureHolic Cichfeed has a grain size of 1.5 mm and is therefore also suitable for larger fish. The NH Cichfeed is a soft granulate for mainly carnivorous fish. It has the same consistency as small crustaceans and insect larvae that fish naturally eat, and the soft granules protect the fish's mouth from micro-injuries that can result from hard feed granules.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.