Photo taken at Wharf Aquatics
© Sean Evans
|
| Common name: | Rainbow cichlid |
| Scientific name: | Herotilapia multispinosa |
| Synonyms: | (none) |
| Size: | Up to 5" (12.5cm) |
| Origin: | Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama. |
| Tank setup: | A reasonable sized tank with rocks and wood for cover, and a few plants. |
| Compatibility: | A fairly peaceful cichlid, it should not be mixed with overly aggressive companions. |
| Temperature: | 22-25oC (71-77oF) |
| Water chemistry: | pH around neutral, medium hard. |
| Feeding: | Fairly omnivorous, with a preference for bloodworm, mosquito larvae, etc. |
| Sexing: | Males tend to be more colourful with longer, more pointed fins. |
| Breeding: | Breeds very easily, laying a large number of eggs on a clean rock.
The fry are guided into pits where the parents guard them. |
| Comments: |
The colour of these fish can change quite dramatically according to their mood. Aquarium bred specimens tend to lack
some of the brilliant colour of their wild caught relatives.
|
