Regan's Cichlid (Maskaheros regani)
| Regan's Cichlid Maskaheros regani | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Regan's Cichlid |
| Name Lat. | Maskaheros regani |
| Synonym | Vieja regani |
| Family | Cichlids |
| Family lat. | Cichlidae |
| Order | Cichlids |
| Order lat. | Cichliformes |
| Origin | Mexico |
| Habitat | Rivers, oxbow lakes |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| Behavior | Semi-aggressive |
| Keeping | Pair |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Substrate spawner |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | N/A |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 25-30 cm |
| Temperature | 24-26 °C |
| Hardness | 10-15 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 500 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 10"-12" |
| Temperature | 75-79 °F |
| Hardness | 178-267 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 130 gal |
Distribution and habitat
Almoloya cichlids live in the upper watershed of the Rio Coatzacoalcos on the Atlantic side of southern Mexico. They like to stay, often in groups, in flowing water, but also in stagnant river sections with sandy bottoms, stones and boulders.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have a dense 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 feed on insects, small crustaceans and detritus. The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed them once a day with a high-quality dry food (flakes, granules, pellets) as well as cyclops, daphnia, artemia, mosquito larvae, etc. (live or frozen). In addition, they need vegetable food, such as algae leaves, scalded leafy and wild vegetables or dry food with high vegetable content.
Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
They are rather shy fish that should be kept in pairs. During the spawning season they behave territorial and defend their territory emphatically. Even older animals hardly behave aggressively internally or towards other fish. Group keeping is only recommended in a much larger, richly structured tank. They can be socialized with other peaceful 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 in juveniles. Adult males develop a pronounced forehead bump. The smaller females often have a dark rim in the middle of 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
Since they like to burrow, stone structures must be well secured
The foliage (sea almond tree, oak, etc.) enriches the water with humic substances, naturally lowers the pH and is a valuable secondary food source (detritus)
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: BMEL (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