Diadem Cichlid (Aequidens diadema)
| Diadem Cichlid Aequidens diadema | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Diadem Cichlid |
| Name Lat. | Aequidens diadema |
| Synonym | Acara diadema |
| Family | Cichlids |
| Family lat. | Cichlidae |
| Order | Cichlids |
| Order lat. | Cichliformes |
| Origin | South America |
| Habitat | Rivers |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| pH | 6.5-7.5 |
| Behavior | Semi-aggressive |
| Keeping | Pair |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Substrate spawner |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 5-8 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 12 cm |
| Temperature | 22-27 °C |
| Hardness | < 15 °dH |
| Aquarium | 120 cm / 240 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 4.7" |
| Temperature | 72-81 °F |
| Hardness | < 267 ppm |
| Aquarium | 65 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the Diadem cichlids is the catchment area of the upper Rio Negro and the Orinoco in Colombia and Venezuela. They live there in the clear water of slow-flowing rivers and in their floodplains with trees and roots partly protruding into the water.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have a robust border planting, with many hiding places (stones, roots), and offer free swimming space. A substrate of sand or fine gravel covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves) and slightly subdued light (floating plants) is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable in the water, and the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
The food supply consists of live food, such as daphnia, artemia, mysis, tubifex and red mosquito larvae, which is also accepted without problems in frozen form, supplemented with commercially available, frozen special food mixtures. High-quality flake and granulated food for cichlids is also readily eaten.
Only as much should be fed as is eaten immediately (in a maximum of 10 minutes)
Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance
Behaviour and compatibility
They should be kept in pairs. At spawning time they behave very territorial, so keeping several pairs is only recommended in a larger and richly structured tank. They can be socialized well with other large fish, but defend their territory consistently.
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water quality and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
With some experience, the sexes can be distinguished in adults by their genital papilla, which is pointed in the male and smaller and flat-ending in the female.
Reproduction and breeding
They spawn on shallow stones or roots (open brooders). Both parents engage in intensive brood care (parental family). After two days they take the larvae into their throat sac for mouthbrood care and release the fry after eight days, which are guarded by the parents for some time and led to the feeding places in the aquarium before the brood care ends.
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food. Breeding is hardly possible in community tanks, where the fry are easy prey.
Important
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. The temperature should be checked daily, the pH, hardness and nitrate value at least every 14 days. A regular partial water change is recommended, even if the pollutant load 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 (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 2, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF