Goldhead Nannacara (Nannacara aureocephalus)
| Goldhead Nannacara Nannacara aureocephalus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Goldhead Nannacara |
| Name Lat. | Nannacara aureocephalus |
| Synonym | Pelvicachromis aureocephalus |
| Family | Cichlids |
| Family lat. | Cichlidae |
| Order | Cichlids |
| Order lat. | Cichliformes |
| Origin | French Guiana |
| Habitat | Streams, floodplains |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 4.0-6.0 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Pair |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Cave spawner |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 5-8 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 6-8 cm |
| Temperature | 22-26 °C |
| Hardness | 1-10 °dH |
| Aquarium | 100 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 2.4"-3" |
| Temperature | 72-79 °F |
| Hardness | 18-178 ppm |
| Aquarium | 25 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The range of the golden-headed checkerboard cichlids is the Approuague River system in French Guyana. There they live in small, slow-flowing streams and weedy pools, with dense riparian vegetation, roots and fallen leaves.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have a dense border planting, with stones, roots and caves (e.g. clay caves, halved coconuts), which offer numerous hiding places. A dark substrate covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond tree), shaded light (floating plant cover) and soft, acidic water is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, 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 offer consists of live food, such as daphnia, cyclops, artemia, mysis, tubifex and red mosquito larvae, which is also accepted without problems in frozen form or a commercially available, frozen special food mixture for cichlids. Also high-quality dry food (granules, pellets) for cichlids is usually well accepted, but should not be the main component of the diet
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 or in a harem, one male with 2-3 females. Outside the spawning season they are very peaceful. Especially the females are very territorial during the spawning season and consistently defend their territory. Keeping multiple pairs is only recommended in a much larger and richly structured tank. They can be well socialized with other fish, such as larger tetras or Corydoras
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The male is larger and more colorful than the female and has noticeably longer, more pointed fins.
Reproduction and breeding
They spawn mostly hidden on roots, but also in caves (facultative cave-breeder). Spawning mature females have black longitudinal and transverse bands (checkerboard). The female engages in intensive brood care (maternal family), while the male defends the territory. After the female has spawned, the larvae hatch after about 2-3 days and are housed and guarded in a prepared bottom pit. Often the fry are moved several times to other bottom pits until they swim freely after about 8-14 days. The fry are guarded for some more time and also 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 (Artemia nauplii). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the fry are easy prey.
Important
The foliage (sea almond tree, oak, etc.) not only provides cover, it enriches the water with humic substances, naturally lowers the pH and, as it rots, promotes the development of microorganisms that provide a valuable secondary food source.
The well-being of the fish should be monitored regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even when contaminant levels have 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: petdata
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 3, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF