Silver Cichlid (Maskaheros argenteus)
| Silver Cichlid Maskaheros argenteus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Silver Cichlid |
| Name Lat. | Maskaheros argenteus |
| Synonym | Vieja argentea |
| Family | Cichlids |
| Family lat. | Cichlidae |
| Order | Cichlids |
| Order lat. | Cichliformes |
| Origin | Central America |
| Habitat | Rivers |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 7.0-8.0 |
| Behavior | Semi-aggressive |
| Keeping | Pair |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Substrate spawner |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | N/A |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 25 cm |
| Temperature | 24-30 °C |
| Hardness | 10-15 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 500 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 10" |
| Temperature | 75-86 °F |
| Hardness | 178-267 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 130 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the Silver Cichlids is the Rio Usumacinta drainage basin, on the Atlantic side of southern Mexico. They live mainly in moderately flowing, larger rivers with stony sandy bottoms, dead wood and aquatic vegetation
Maintenance
The aquarium should have a border planting, with many hiding places (stones, roots, caves), and offer free swimming space. A substrate of sand covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves), a weak 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 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 spirited swimmers that should be kept in pairs. They often behave aggressively internally. 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
Adult males have a protruding forehead and somewhat elongated dorsal and anal fins. With some experience, the sexes can be distinguished by their genital papilla, which is pointed in the male and round in the female.
Reproduction and breeding
They spawn on shallow stones or roots (open brooders), sometimes also in caves. Both parents perform brood care and intensively defend the territory (parental family). After 2-3 days, the fry hatch and are then housed and guarded in a bottom pit prepared outside the cave until they swim free after 4-5 days and 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 like to burrow, accordingly, stone structures must be very stable. Plants should be placed in heavy pots and secured with stones against rooting.
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: petdata
Source: BMEL (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