Montecristo Cichlid (Oscura heterospila)
| Montecristo Cichlid Oscura heterospila | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Montecristo Cichlid |
| Name Lat. | Oscura heterospila |
| Synonym | Theraps heterospilus |
| Family | Cichlids |
| Family lat. | Cichlidae |
| Order | Cichlids |
| Order lat. | Cichliformes |
| Origin | Central America |
| Habitat | Rivers, lakes |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 7.5-8.5 |
| Behavior | Semi-aggressive |
| Keeping | Pair |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Substrate spawner |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | N/A |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 20 cm |
| Temperature | 24-28 °C |
| Hardness | < 15 °dH |
| Aquarium | 350 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 7.9" |
| Temperature | 75-82 °F |
| Hardness | < 267 ppm |
| Aquarium | 90 gal |
Distribution and habitat
Pozolera cichlids live in the Rio Usumacinta watershed on the Atlantic side of southern Mexico and Guatemala. They mainly stay in stagnant river sections, lakes and lagoons with dense aquatic vegetation.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have a dense border planting, with many hiding places (stones, roots), and offer free swimming space. A sandy substrate covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves), a medium current 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 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
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 regular vegetable food, such as spinach, crushed peas, algae leaves or dry food with high vegetable content (spirulina).
Only feed as much as is eaten immediately (in 10 minutes or less). Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
The temperamental swimmers should be kept in pairs. They are internally less aggressive than their conspecifics. During the spawning season they behave territorial 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. Males are slightly larger and sometimes show a washed out dark spot in the dorsal fin.
Reproduction and breeding
They spawn on shallow stones or roots (open brooders). 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 5-6 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 are called pozolero, which means "cornmeal eater" because they are baited with balls of dough by the fishermen.
Since they like to burrow, stone structures must be well secured
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 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 (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 4, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF