Saddle Cichlid (Aequidens tetramerus)

From Pet Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Saddle Cichlid
Aequidens tetramerus
Saddle Cichlid (Aequidens tetramerus)
Name Saddle Cichlid
Name Lat. Aequidens tetramerus
Family Cichlids
Family lat. Cichlidae
Order Cichlids
Order lat. Cichliformes
Origin South America
Habitat Streams
Diet Carnivore
pH 4.5-7.5
Behavior Semi-aggressive
Keeping Pair
Care Level Moderate
Reproduction Substrate spawner
Breeding Moderately difficult
Life Span 8-10 years
Protection No
Metric Units
Size 15 cm
Temperature 24-27 °C
Hardness 1-15 °dH
Aquarium 120 cm / 240 l
US Units
Size 5.9"
Temperature 75-81 °F
Hardness 18-267 ppm
Aquarium 65 gal

Distribution and habitat

The green shiner cichlids are widespread in northern South America. They are found in the Amazon River system of Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Brazil, and in the Orinoco River basin of Venezuela and Colombia. They live in shallow forest streams and small rivers as well as floodplains with dense riparian vegetation and roots 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 or frozen daphnia, artemia, mysis, tubifex, red mosquito larvae, etc., supplemented with some vegetable food as well as commercially available, frozen special food mixtures. Also high quality sinking dry food (pellets, chips, granules) for cichlids is accepted without problems

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. Males behave very territorial not only during spawning time, therefore keeping several pairs is only recommended in a larger and richly structured tank. They are also often incompatible with other fish and should only be socialized with defensible fish. Fish that are too small are considered prey.

Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature should be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

The slightly larger males have longer extended fins and are more intensely red in color than the females.

Reproduction and breeding

They spawn on shallow stones or roots (open brooders). Both parents engage in intensive brood care (parental family) and defend the territory. After 3-4 days the fry hatch and swim freely after about 11 days. The young fish swarm is protected by the parents for some time and also led to the feeding places in the aquarium.

Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the young fish are easy prey.

Important

They like to burrow and often damage the roots of plants.

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. 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: petdata

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

  • Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF