Lip cichlazoma. "Red devil Behavior of a sexually mature female cichlazoma labiatum

You will never get bored when looking at the aquarium if you put a "red devil" there - this is how aquarists call this cichlid. Lip cichlazoma, by the way, is not necessarily red at all, but the name has taken root. Apparently, because of her dangerous "explosive" nature. Originally from Central America, this little devil can grow up to 30 cm in length. Its elongated, almost flat body ends with a tail in the form of an open fan. The dorsal fin of the cichlazoma is always aggressively pointed, the lips are full, and the forehead is bizarrely flat. The reservoirs of Nicaragua and Costa Rica are typical habitats for the "devil". Palette The color of the body of a lipped person varies from orange or lemon yellow to gray or dark brown, and sometimes there are blood red "devils" that justify their nickname. There are also whites. Interestingly, in crater lakes, each color variation strictly adheres to its habitat. For example, brown-gray individuals inhabit a coastal zone rich in vegetation and food, while orange and red ones have chosen shaded depths of more than six meters. In home aquariums, this, of course, is not observed. It is also interesting that with age your cichlid can change color. In the aquarium The first thing to consider - do not settle this person with small fish, she will not leave them alive. Make sure that the water is "tropically" warm (21 - 26°C), the pH ranges from 6.0 to 8.0, and the water hardness is from 9 to 11. An aquarium for a pair of cichlids should be about 200 liters in volume. Leave a lot of free, because the "red devil" is extremely active and restless. Create shelters for him in the form of castles, grottoes or caves ... The soil in the aquarium with devils is not recommended at all because of their love to "undermine" it under heavy objects that can fall on them. If you decide to use the soil, then it is better to pour it very little. This fidget will gladly eat any ornamental plants, so think about whether to plant them or not. Feeding Cichlazoma are born predators. But this does not mean that they do not need plant foods. Be sure to feed your fidgets with finely chopped lettuce, boiled peas and other green plants. The ideal diet for your cichlids is special pellets for predators and earthworms, insects and even live fish as a supplement. Breeding When your pets are one year old, they are considered "mature" and ready to have offspring. Encourage future parents to take action: change a quarter of the water and increase its temperature by 4-6 degrees. Prepare in advance a flat stone or saucer, which will soon become a haven for more than a thousand yellowish eggs. After 3-4 days, small larvae will appear. And in 5 days the fry will start their first independent swimming. Do not forget about the water temperature: all this time it should be from 24 to 29 degrees. Feed your little ones brine shrimp, cyclops, or diaptomus nauplii. Parents will tirelessly take care of eggs, larvae and fry, fan their offspring with fins, creating water movement. During this period, they will become especially aggressive and ready to tear apart anyone who covets the "kids". And the babies themselves will be sandy-gray for the first half a year of life, and only then will they "bloom" and take on a natural rich color. In fact, lipped cichlids are much easier to keep than many of their other "relatives" - cichlids. A spacious aquarium, frequent water changes, good water quality and a balanced and varied diet are the keys to success in keeping them. Therefore, if you like the exotic appearance and explosive nature of the “devil”, feel free to bring cichlids into the house and do not hesitate: you will not get bored with them.

Tsikhlazoma labiatum or lipped cichlazoma (lat. Amphilophus labiatus, formerly Cichlasoma labiatum) seems to be created for large, exhibition aquariums. This is a very large fish native to Central America, which reaches a body length of 38 cm in nature, and is one of the most aggressive cichlids.

The labiatum can have very different colors, in nature it is dark brown, which allows it to successfully camouflage. But, amateurs brought out all kinds of colors and colors, especially considering that the labiatum quite successfully interbreeds with another large and related fish -. Now there are a lot of descendants of both fish on sale.

But, besides being brightly colored, cichlazoma labiatum is also very charismatic. She quickly gets used to the owner, recognizes him, and when he enters the room, he literally pursues with his eyes, begging for food. But, in addition to the mind, she also has a disgusting character and sharp teeth.

For this, in English-speaking countries, the labiatum is even called Red Devil. Although in adolescence they live with various fish, but becoming sexually mature they cannot tolerate any other fish, especially their own species. If you are interested in keeping a big-lipped cichlazoma, then you need either a very large aquarium, or keep them separately.

These fish are medium in complexity of keeping, it is enough to monitor the water parameters and feed them with high quality.

Lip cichlazoma is often confused with another, very similar species - citron cichlazoma. And in some sources they are considered one fish. Although outwardly they are not much different, they are genetically different.

For example, it is slightly smaller in size and reaches 25 - 35 cm, and the labiatum is 28 cm. Their habitats are also different, the citron comes from Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and the labiatum lives only in the lakes of Nicaragua.

One of the reasons for this substitution was that the amount of lemon cichlazoma in nature has sharply decreased, and demand is high, and dealers began to sell other fish under the guise of citron, especially since they are very similar.

Thus, everything is mixed up, and many fish currently sold under one of the names are actually a hybrid between and labiatum.

Habitat in nature

Cichlazoma labiatum was first described by Gunther in 1865. It lives in Central America, in Nicaragua, in the lakes of Managua, Nicaragua, Hiola.

It prefers calm waters without strong currents and is rarely found in rivers. They keep places with a large number of shelters, where they can hide in case of danger. And this danger is no joke, as they live in the only lake in the world, Nicaragua, where freshwater sharks live.

Labiatums feed on small fish, snails, larvae, worms, and other benthic organisms.

Description

Strong and massive fish, with pointed anal and dorsal fin. This is a large cichlid, reaching a length of 38 cm. It takes about 3 years for cichlazoma labiatum to grow to full size, but they become sexually mature at a body length of 15 cm. Average life expectancy is 10-12 years.

At the moment, there are many different colors that are different from natural. Since freshwater sharks live in Lake Nicaragua, the natural color is purely functional - protective.

Aquarists also brought out all sorts of colors, yellow, orange, white, various mixtures.

Difficulty in content

Although the cichlazoma labiatum is a very unpretentious fish, it is difficult to call it suitable for beginners.

She, of course, tolerates very different water parameters without problems and eats everything you give her, but she grows very large and very aggressive, hardly enduring her neighbors in the aquarium.

Feeding

Labiatums are omnivorous, they eat all kinds of food in the aquarium: live, frozen, artificial.

The basis of feeding can be high-quality food for large cichlids, and additionally feed the fish with live food: bloodworms, coretra, brine shrimp, tubifex, gammarus, worms, crickets, mussel and shrimp meat, fish fillets.

You can also use as bait, or vegetables: chopped cucumber and zucchini, lettuce. Feeding fiber prevents the development of a common disease, when a non-healing wound appears in the head of cichlids and the fish die despite treatment.

It is better to feed two to three times a day, in small portions, to avoid the accumulation of food debris in the soil.

It is important to know that feeding on the meat of mammals, so popular in past years, is now considered harmful. Such meat contains a large amount of proteins and fats, which the gastrointestinal tract of fish does not digest well.

As a result, the fish grows fat, the work of internal organs is disrupted. You can give such feed, but infrequently, about once a week.

This is a very large cichlid that needs a spacious aquarium. For one fish you need 250 liters, for a pair 500, and if you are going to keep them with other fish, then even more.

Given the size of the fish and the fact that it feeds mainly on protein foods, it is necessary to use a powerful external filter, however, the labiatum does not like the current and it is better to use a flute.

Although they are undemanding to water parameters, they need a high level of oxygen in the water. Water parameters for keeping: 22-27 ° C, ph: 6.6-7.3, 6 - 25 dGH

It is better to use sand as a soil, as these are enthusiastic diggers and plants in the aquarium will not live long.

They will either be dug up, or uprooted, or eaten. It is important that the aquarium has plenty of hiding places where the fish can hide in times of stress.

Decor and equipment in the aquarium must be protected, as fish can dig it, move it, and even break it.

It is desirable to hide the heater behind some object. The aquarium must be covered, as fish can jump out of it.

Compatibility

Known for their aggressiveness. Labiatums are very territorial, and treat both their own kind and other species equally badly. Because of this, they are best kept separately.

They can live with other large fish while they grow, but when they grow up, they do not tolerate their neighbors well.

The only way to successfully keep labiatums with other fish is to put them in a very large aquarium with lots of hiding places, caves, and snags. But this is not a guarantee that they will be able to get along with other species.

Sex differences

In the male labiatum, the genital papilla is pointed, while in the female it is blunt. Also, the male is much larger, and he develops a fat bump on his forehead in the aquarium, although in nature it is present only during spawning.

reproduction

Cichlazoma labiatum breeds successfully in the aquarium. This cichlid forms a permanent pair that spawns on inclined surfaces.

For one spawning, she lays about 600-700 eggs, which are translucent or slightly yellow. The female takes care of the eggs and fry. At a temperature of 25 ° C, the larva hatches after 3 days.

After 5-7 days, the fry begins to swim. You can feed him with brine shrimp nauplii, in addition, they peck the secret from the skin of their parents.

Family: cichlids (Cichlidae)

External description: cichlazoma labiatum can have a fairly diverse color and certain differences in appearance. There are all sorts of variations in color, the appearance of fish can also vary somewhat, especially in terms of pattern and base color. The differences between females and males must be looked at in each variation specifically.

Natural Habitat: the fish is endemic to the lakes of Nicaragua and Managua in Nicaragua (these lakes are connected to each other by the Tipitapa River)

Dimensions: the maximum size of the fish is 35 cm, but this is a rarity even in nature

Habitat layer: in an aquarium, the fish feels very confident on all layers

Behavior: cichlazoma labiatum is a fish that has a fairly diverse character, but in general it does not differ in a particularly aggressive character (if you keep it in a large aquarium, if there is a lack of space, the aggressiveness of the character can manifest itself in all its "glory"), at the same time, when protecting its territory, it will not retreat before "face" of the enemy. Keep in mind that in nature it feeds on small fish, but in captivity with sufficiently good feeding, attacks on other fish are rare, unless they are very small. Keep singly or in formed pairs

Arrangement of the aquarium: the minimum volume of an aquarium for one fish is 250 liters, for a pair of at least 300. As a decoration, it is best to use various snags, stones and other elements

Water parameters: temperature 21-27ºC, pH 6.0-8.0

Nutrition: they eat everything they can eat, any new object the fish will try, which is called "to the tooth". It is recommended to add earthworms, shrimps and other foods containing carotene to the diet. Feeding with beef heart and chicken meat is not recommended. Be sure to include plant-based foods in your diet.

Breeding: breeding is probably the hardest part is getting a pair, don't think it's very easy, in fact mating these cichlids is quite difficult. The aquarium should contain a large number of snags and large stones, you must understand that if there are other fish in the aquarium, be sure to remove them, the male will try to kill them, or he will die himself. During spawning, there is another danger, if the female is not ready at the same time as the male, he can kill her, it is best to take care of the separator in the aquarium, so that in case something goes wrong, separate the male. Otherwise, no special intervention on your part is required, if everything is fine, spawning will definitely occur. As soon as the eggs are laid, try not to forget yourself and not dip your fingers into the water, you can instantly be left without them, the fish become incredibly aggressive during this period, the masonry is protected very strongly. The fry grow very quickly, initially accepting brine shrimp nauplii, it is important not to miss the moment and separate the fry from the males when they become larger.

As can be seen from the decimal point in the scientific name, the history of the genus Cichlasoma Swainson, 1839 began in the 19th century. It was this genus that prevailed in the aquarium literature of the last millennium, but the revisions of the last decades tried to put everything in its place - the fish, presented under the collective name cichlazoma, returned the names according to the original descriptions. In addition, completely new genera were isolated. However, the old name - "cichlazoma", denoting the entire group as a whole and numbering 15 genera, remained in use, both among amateurs and ichthyologists. It is customary to write it in quotation marks.

The following are the "Cichlazomes" that are found in cichlid aquariums:

Amphilophus -Amphilophus Agassiz, 1858

Archocentrus - Archocentrus Gill & Bransford, 1877 already in our millennium, some species from the genus archocentrus began to be attributed to the new genus Cryptoheros Cryptoheros (Allgayer, 2001)

Kopora Copora Fernandez-Yepez, 1969 has recently been described as a completely new genus

Hypsophrys - Hypsophrys Kullander & Hartel, 1997

Herichthys - Herichthys Baird & Girard, 1854 Heros - Heros Heckel, 1840

Hypselecara - Hypselecara Kullander

Mesonauta - Mesonauta Guenther, 1862

Nandopsis -Nandopsis Gill, 1862

Thorichthys - Thorichthys Meek, 1904

Vaya - Vieja Fernandez-Yepez, 1969

The remaining 4 genera, including true cichlases, have never been represented in our aquariums.

However, among fans around the world they are very rare.

Caquetaia Fowler, 1945

Chuko - Chuco Fernandez-Yepez, 1969 Cichlasoma Swainson, 1839 Theraps - Theraps Guenther, 1862

The scientific names of the fish below correspond to the most recent systematic data.

"Cichlazoma" lipped - Amphilophus labiatum (Guenther, 1864) - a large Central American cichlid that lives in the large lakes of Nicaragua. Differs in large lips, which are especially well expressed in the largest specimens. Several color variations of the lipped cichlazoma are known, one of which received an independent scientific description and, for its amazing red color in black spots, the red devil. The variability in the color of natural individuals is great - from orange-orange to light, whitish with indefinitely shaped spots. The same size of fish, close habitats, and similar coloration of some variations led to the fact that all similar fish were combined into one species with the citron cichlazoma A. citrinellum (Guenther, 1864). Under favorable conditions, both species grow in aquariums to sizes of 30 cm or more. They reproduce without problems and are very prolific. It is believed that the citron cichlazoma recognizes its fry from the fry of its neighbors of the same species by smell, and it is by smell that it distinguishes them from fry of other cichlids. This smell is probably important for identifying one's own fry during periods of mass reproduction of fish of different species inhabiting the same biotopes of the lake within the same zone. It is from these fish that the multi-colored parrot cichlids, popular with beginners, originated. Their color is largely determined by special coloring feeds, without the addition of which they quickly discolor.

"Cichlazoma" wine-finned or sahika - Cryptoheros sajica (Bussing, 1974) - a relatively small (up to 14 cm) "cichlazoma" that lives in southern Costa Rica. It got its name as an abbreviation for the name of the ichthyologist Salvador Jiminez Canossa (Salvador Jiminez Canossa). Pisces are quite calm, but they can stand up for themselves. Like all cichlids of Central America, these "cichlazomes" prefer hard water with a slightly alkaline reaction. Breeding is not difficult. Previously, they were assigned to the genus Archocentrus.

According to the conditions of detention, it is very similar to Cr. sajika pink cichlazoma Cryptoheros septemfasciatus (Regan, 1908). This species is widely distributed throughout Costa Rica, but is quite rare among aquarists. Of the species known and widespread in our aquariums, the genus Cryptocheros currently includes the black-striped "cichlazoma" and spilurum.

The hawk cichlid Hypselecara temporalis (Guenther, 1862) is one of the most beautiful peaceful cichlids in the Amazon, inhabiting approximately the same ranges as discus. Males grow to sizes over 30 cm, females are smaller. The fish were previously known as Crass cichlazoma. In aquariums, they prefer to hide among snags and in thickets of plants. The color of the fish reaches its apogee in the second or third year of life. Males develop a huge fat pad on their forehead. Breeding is not difficult, it is only important to raise the fish properly. Unfortunately, the fry are painted in a rather nondescript grey-brown tones.

"Cichlazoma" Nicaraguan - Hypsophrys nicaraguense (Guenther, 1864) - one of the cichlids with unusual behavior and breeding characteristics. It lives in Lake Nicaragua and the rivers of the adjacent basin, which reflects the name of the fish. The water in the lake at the surface can warm up to 32 degrees, relatively hard and slightly alkaline pH 8.5 - 8.7. In its composition, it is very suitable for the African Great Lakes, so Nicaraguan cichlases can be combined with non-aggressive African cichlids, as well as representatives of the Melanoteniev family.

The greenish-turquoise color characteristic of adult females is unparalleled among cichlids. This color has only been observed in some marine parrot fish (Scarus sp.) and in females of Baikal yellowfly gobies in spawning coloration. Males are also beautiful in their own way. Fish grow up to 24 cm, but smaller in aquariums. Peaceful as far as cichlids can be in general. In nature, they feed on algae, insect larvae and small snails. This must be taken into account in order to ensure health, bright colors and the ability to reproduce. Breeding is not a big problem. The couple spawns on a solid stone substrate, previously cleared of sand. It is interesting to note that, unlike other cichlases, Nicaraguan caviar is not sticky and causes a lot of trouble for producer fish. They have to constantly collect it in a pile. Otherwise, everything happens, as in other species.

Underwater observations made in the mid-seventies by Kenneth McKay and described in The American Naturalist pointed to the unique behavior of H. nicaraguense in nature. The behavior of males of these fish engaged in the protection of juveniles of another species, Dovi's cichlazoma (Nandopsis dovii), was described in detail. The latter is the largest cichlazoma, reaching a weight of 7 kg and more than half a meter in length. This predatory species, which feeds on fish, including Nicaraguan cichlazomas, becomes easily vulnerable at the time of reproduction. Small predators, including Neetroplus nematopus cichlids and citron cichlids, as well as predatory gobies (Gobiomorus dormitator), attack and eat Dovey fry. Two male Nicaraguan cichlazoma have been observed guarding a N. dovii brood for six weeks. During this period, the naturalist has never observed that the producers of c. Dovies tried to attack altruistic males. After being captured by the Dovey cichlid, the Nicaraguans continued to guard their nest even more actively. As a result of the analysis, it was found that with their help c. Dowie managed to keep more than twice as many fry as without helpers. It was also noted that H. nicaraguense males spawning on the top of an underwater cliff (the Dovey nest was located deeper, at its foot) were less active in protecting their own offspring. These are such wonderful fish!

"Cichlazoma" diamond - Herichthys carpinte (Jordan & Snyder, 1899) - for many years was known to amateurs as cichlazoma cyanoguttatum. The name of the fish reflects their distribution in the Carpinte lagoon of the Rio Conchos, Rio Soto and Rio Panuco rivers in the Caribbean. The water in which fish live in natural conditions is very hard and slightly alkaline. The size of the fish is up to 30 cm, the females are smaller. Brilliant cichlomas got their common name for their bright iridescent color, especially during spawning and caring for juveniles. In strong specimens of diamond cichlases, the bright color is preserved even in normal times. Starting from a size of about 10 cm, fish are able to bear offspring, which can amount to many hundreds of fry. Fish do not need especially high water temperatures. At 24 degrees, juveniles hatch on the fourth day and then grow very quickly. The nature of the fish is quite calm and allows them to be kept in the collection of large American cichlids of similar temperament. However, in this case, it is desirable to have a larger aquarium (2 or more meters long).

"Cichlazoma" severum - Heros severus Heckel, 1840 - inhabitant of the Amazon. For a long time, representatives of the genus Heros Heckel, 1840, described 160 years ago in the amount of three species, belonged to the genus Cichlazoma, especially in aquarium literature. However, after the revision, everything fell into place and now this genus is represented by 5 different, but very similar species, with natural sizes varying from 20 to 30 cm.

Fish, despite their large size, are peaceful, but some plants, nevertheless, eat and dig. Suitable for large species aquariums with large calm views. Proper feeding should combine animal and vegetable components. In this case, reproduction does not cause problems. As a result of selection work, the golden form of the severum was bred and fixed, which is bred in mass quantities for aquarists in the countries of Southeast Asia.

Cichlazoma Mesonauta

Mesonauta - Mesonauta festivus (Heckel, 1840) - is widespread throughout almost the entire Amazon and Orinoco basins. Several local color forms are known. The name of the mesonout has been preserved since the time of Zolotnitsky, although 20 years ago in the literature on aquarism and ichthyology, fish were called nothing more than cichlazoma festivum. Currently, the mesonaut genus includes 5 species very similar to each other.

The nature of the mesonaut is quite peaceful, but they eat some types of plants with pleasure. Conditions of keeping and breeding, as in other Amazonian species.

Burton's "cichlazoma" - Nandopsis bartoni (Bean, 1892) - originally caught in the Mexican river Rio Verdi was named after the curator of ichthyology of the American National Museum - Barton A. Bean, initially as Barton's acara.

Under natural conditions, these fish were almost exterminated during the thoughtless introduction of the golden tilapia (Oreochromis aureus) and were included in the Red Book in 1990. Nevertheless, they are perfectly preserved as interesting aquarium objects. At home, the fish grow up to 24 cm, in the aquarium it is much (most often twice) smaller.

Flowing lakes and coastal thickets of water lilies define the biotope of Barton's cichlazoma. Apparently due to the abundance of aquatic vegetation in the nature around them, these fish are quite careful about plants in the aquarium. Reproduction of fish is not difficult, it is noted that these cichlomas are very fond of laying eggs inside empty shells of gastropod mollusks (rapans from the Black Sea).

"Cichlazoma" orange (Festa) - Nandopsis festae (Boulenger, 1899) - remarkably bright, but, unfortunately, very "evil" cichlazoma from the river basin (Rio Guayas and Rio Daule) of the Pacific coast of Ecuador. These fish are active predators and grow over 40 cm long. The larger the fish become, the more beautiful they are and the more unbearable they become for the aquarist and neighboring inhabitants of the aquarium. Feeding is also not easy. Young fish eat almost any type of aquarium food, including bloodworms, coretra, live and frozen gammarus, but as they age, this is no longer enough and then pieces of fish, shrimp and crab meat must be added. The latter components are very important in order to ensure the health and fantastic brightness of the color of the fish. The joint maintenance of young orange cichlases, up to 15 - 18 cm in size, in an aquarium with large-sized neighbors usually does not cause problems, but then they gradually begin to show their “crown” innate habits. Sneak up, for example, to the fish from below and grab the stomach. So much so that they tear all the insides!

Breeding self-selected partners is not difficult. The fish are very prolific and the number of fry is in the thousands, often many. It is very difficult to feed such a horde, and cannibalism begins among the juveniles, which allows only the strongest to survive.

"Tsihlazoma" Managuan - Nandopsis managuense (Guenther, 1869) - similar to the previous species of fish, grow to a size of almost half a meter. The coloration of adults is exceptionally bright - iridescent with a large number of black spots of various sizes and shapes, like snake skin. By the way, the scales of fish also shimmer with all the colors of the rainbow, like the skin of a freshly molted snake. In natural waters, Lake Managua (Nicaragua in Central America), as the name implies, the water is very warm and, according to information, its temperature varies in the range of 25 - 36 degrees, and in some cases even higher. The water is hard and slightly alkaline with a pH of 8.5 - 8.8. In addition, it is slightly brackish, as evidenced by its high electrical conductivity (above 1000 microsiemens per centimeter). Given the above, the aquarium for keeping fish should be spacious - from one and a half meters. However, it is interesting to note that a self-formed pair of fish that has repeatedly laid eggs and then looked after them together can then be placed in a relatively small aquarium. For example, a pair of Managuan cichlases 35 cm male and 30 female can be perfectly kept in an aquarium measuring 80 x 45 x 45 cm. In crowded areas they live very friendly and become surprisingly tame.

"Cichlazoma" Meek - Thorichthys meeki (Brind, 1918) - or mask cichlazoma was first brought to Russia by a great aquarium lover, the famous puppeteer Sergei Vladimirovich Obraztsov. The name mask cichlid reflects the ability of these cichlids to widely inflate bright red (in good individuals) gills and frighten the enemy. At the same time, the figure formed in this way resembles a terrible Indian mask with four eyes. The word Meek means, traditionally, in the German manner, the pronounced name of the zoologist Dr. S. Yu. Mik (1859 - 1914), in memory of which this cichlazoma was named. The homeland of fish is the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico, as well as Belize and Guatemala). The size of the fish is not large and rarely exceeds 15 cm. Individuals caught in Mexico and Guatemala have the brightest color. In the waters of Guatemala, in addition, there are specimens with an amazing golden color. Fish, unlike the previous species, are peaceful, but they should not be planted in the same aquarium with every little thing, since fry and small species can be perceived by Meekami as food. The content and breeding of the mask "cichlazoma" is not a problem. The fish lay their eggs on a solid substrate and actively look after the larvae and fry, scaring off the enemy in the general aquarium. At one time, two more species were imported, similar to Meek cichlases, and now torichthys. These are Elliot's "cichlazoma" (Th. ellioti Meek, 1915) and Geller's "cichlazoma" (Th. helleri Steindachner, 1864). Keeping and breeding is similar to Meeka.

"Tsihlazoma" red-headed - Vieja synspilus (Hubbs, 1936) - differs from other species in its beautiful coloring of the head. Fish are common in the reservoirs of southern Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. They grow to sizes over 30 cm, so they need a large, preferably over a meter long aquarium. They are found in biotopes of a very diverse nature, but in slowly flowing waters, including among flooded trees and snags. In nature, they feed on small shrimps and crabs, which should be taken into account when compiling their aquarium diet. Only in this case it is possible to guarantee the excellent coloration of adults. In breeding, red-headed cichlazomas are somewhat more capricious than other species and, first of all, this is due to inadequate feeding. Give them plenty of shrimp, live amphipods (or small crayfish) and there will be no problems. In the early 1980s, a very similar cichlid, the so-called black-belted cichlid Vieja maculicauda (Regan, 1905), was also found in our aquariums. Maculicauds are even more widespread than the previous species. Their range includes the sometimes brackish waters of Costa Rica and Panama. The conditions of keeping and breeding are identical to the red-headed cichlazoma.

Endemic to two lakes, Nicaragua and Managua, located on the territory of modern Nicaragua in Central America. Both lakes are of tectonic origin, connected by the Tipitapa River. Cichlazoma labiatum prefers to stay along rocky coasts, where it swims among crevices.
The note- oz. Nicaragua is the largest freshwater lake in Latin America and the only one in the world where sharks are found.

Brief information:

• The volume of the aquarium - from 350 liters.
• Temperature - 21–26°C
• pH value - 6.0–8.0
• Water hardness - soft to hard (5–26 dGH)
• Substrate type - rocky
• Lighting - moderate
• Brackish water - no
• Water movement - light or moderate
• The size of the fish is 30–35 cm.
• Food - any
• Temperament - aggressive
• Keeping alone in a species aquarium

Description

Adults reach a length of up to 35 cm. More powerful males have a characteristic occipital hump that distinguishes them from females, as well as elongated and pointed dorsal and anal fins. The color varies from white-yellow to deep orange.

Nutrition

They are not at all whimsical about the diet, they eat everything that can fit in their mouth, including smaller fish. In a home aquarium, the basis of nutrition should be frozen, fresh or live foods, such as earthworms, pieces of snails and other molluscs, shrimps, as well as herbal supplements such as peas, spinach, etc. Specialized foods for large central fish are an excellent alternative. American cichlids produced by some manufacturers.

Maintenance and care, arrangement of aquariums

For one adult fish, an aquarium of 350 liters is required. In the design, fragments of rocks, large stones, gravel substrate are mainly used. There is no need for live plants, if desired, artificial ones can be used. All interior decor should be securely fastened, and equipment should be hidden if possible so that such a large fish cannot damage anything. The aquarium is equipped with a reliable cover. Despite its size, the "Red Devil" is able to jump out of it.
Water parameters have wide acceptable ranges of pH and dGH values, so there are no problems with water treatment. Difficulties are associated only with maintaining high water quality. Filtration and aeration systems are installed based on the need to process large amounts of organic waste and the needs of fish for a high content of dissolved oxygen. A weekly replacement of part of the water (20–25% of the volume) with fresh water is mandatory.

Behavior and Compatibility

One of the most aggressive representatives of cichlids, it attacks not only other fish, but also representatives of its own species. Skirmishes, as a rule, lead to the death of a weaker individual. Joint maintenance is possible only in large aquariums from 1000 liters. As neighbors, fish of a larger size should be selected, which will not be so easily intimidated, and / or reliably protected from among large catfish. An amateur can recommend an exclusively species aquarium.

Breeding / reproduction

The process of breeding the "Red Devil" is quite simple. When the mating season comes, the fish will do everything themselves, without the need to create any special conditions or advance the introduction of a special diet.
The main difficulty is that the fish are not compatible with each other and it is extremely difficult to get a pair ready for breeding in a home aquarium. Cichlazoma labiatum is often kept alone due to its large size and aggressive behavior, and if a male is placed in the same tank as a female, she will soon be killed.
There are several ways to get offspring in an artificial environment, but none of them gives a 100% guarantee.
First. Male and female from different aquariums are placed in one and separated by a transparent perforated wall. There is a small chance that in a few weeks the male will get used to it and reduce the degree of aggression, and in the future they will be able to form a temporary pair.
Second. Initially, about 6 young individuals are acquired, which will grow in place. As they grow older, one pair can naturally form, which in the future will regularly give offspring. The chances of pairing increase in proportion to the number of young fish growing together, but this is not the case for the hobby hobbyist.
As a result, it is better to buy this species from professional breeders than to breed it yourself.

Fish diseases

The main cause of most diseases is unsuitable living conditions and poor quality food. If the first symptoms are detected, you should check the water parameters and the presence of high concentrations of hazardous substances (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, etc.), if necessary, bring the indicators back to normal and only then proceed with treatment. Read more about symptoms and treatments in the section "