Chisel-tooth Cichlid (Cincelichthys bocourti)
| Chisel-tooth Cichlid Cincelichthys bocourti | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Chisel-tooth Cichlid |
| Name Lat. | Cincelichthys bocourti |
| Synonym | Cichlasoma bocourti |
| Family | Cichlids |
| Family lat. | Cichlidae |
| Order | Cichlids |
| Order lat. | Cichliformes |
| Origin | Central America |
| Habitat | Rivers, lakes |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 6.0-8.0 |
| Behavior | Aggressive |
| Keeping | Pair |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Substrate spawner |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 8-12 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 25-30 cm |
| Temperature | 26-28 °C |
| Hardness | 10-15 °dH |
| Aquarium | 500 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 9.8"-12" |
| Temperature | 79-82 °F |
| Hardness | 178-267 ppm |
| Aquarium | 150 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The typical distribution area of the Golden Cichlids is Lake Izabal in Guatemala, but they also occur in other waters on the Antarctic side of Guatemala and Belize. They live in clear, shallow water, with sandy-rocky bottoms, dead wood and sometimes dense aquatic vegetation, as well as overhanging riparian vegetation, which also serves as food for them.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have a robust border planting, with many hiding places (stones, roots), and offer free swimming space. A substrate of sand covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves) and shaded light (floating plants) is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the size of the aquarium is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
In nature they prefer vegetable food. The food supply consists of high-quality dry food for cichlids (pellets, granules), supplemented with live or frozen food, such as artemia, mysis, shrimps and red mosquito larvae or a commercially available, frozen special food mix for cichlids. In addition, they need plenty of vegetable food, such as spinach, peas, lettuce, duckweed, algae leaves or dry food with high vegetable content (spirulina).
Only feed as much as will be eaten immediately (in 10 minutes or less). Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
These large, calm fish should be kept in pairs. They are less aggressive internally than their conspecifics. During the spawning season they behave territorially and defend their territory emphatically. Group keeping is only recommended in a much larger, richly structured tank. They can be socialized with other robust Central American cichlids. They regard fish that are too small as food. Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature may be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The sexes are difficult to distinguish. The more orange colored males are larger and have a more bulky head. The females are smaller and yellow colored.
Reproduction and breeding
They spawn on shallow stones or roots (open brooders) up to 500 eggs. Both parents perform brood care and intensively defend the territory (parental family). After 2-3 days the fry hatch, which are then housed and guarded in a prepared bottom pit until they swim freely after 3-4 days and the brood care ends
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (e.g. Artemia nauplii). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the fry are easy prey.
Important
They like to burrow, accordingly, stone structures must be very stable
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. The temperature should be checked daily, the pH value, hardness and nitrate value at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (1997): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 5, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF