Creating a Central American Cichlid tank - VI

by John and George Reclos

A strange pair. The difference in size is obvious although the gap gets smaller by the day.

Following the recommendations for less light in the tank a huge quantity of Ceratophylum demersum was added at the surface of the water while some of it is attached to the bogwood. The change was almost immediate. The female now spends most of "her" time in the open.

Two photos of the tank as it looks now. More wood was added and plants are either left floating or are attached on the wood. In the top photo you see how the tank is located in Johnny's room while in the lower photo you can see the female fanning her eggs which are laid on the stone. Click on the thumbnails to see larger pictures. Photos: G.Reclos/MCH

Update - November 2004

During our trip to Rome, the male P. managuensis passed away, for no apparent reason. The female was measuring approximately 20 cm at that time so we tried to find a large male P. Managuensis to keep with her. Unfortunately, this was not possible so Johnny tried to raise the largest juvenile we had in our raising tanks hoping to end up with a pair after a year or so. You can understand his disappointment when, after 8 months he found out that what he had was two females. Not only they started to spawn on an alternative basis but they showed a very interesting behavior since, instead of fighting between them, they were guarding their eggs together. This was a very sad end to this story. Both females were handed over to Hydrocosmos pet shop hoping to find a hobbyist who has a male in his tanks. Both of them will become excellent mothers.

Four Cichlasoma pearsei (the two largest and the two smallest) were transferred into Johnny's tank and the rest were also transferred to Hydrocosmos. Measuring almost 20 cm each, it was not possible to keep them anymore in the small quarters we have raised them (100 liters). The largest male Paratilapia sp. "Andapa" (a Madagascan cichlid) with his much smaller female were also transferred in the same tank after a month - to allow the more peaceful C. pearsei some time to acclimatie first. After some fighting, it became evident to both parties (the dominant C. pearsei and the Paratilapia) that nobody would give space to the other one. Therefore, each species got its own corner and they left the center for swimming. Our plan is to take out the remaining 2 C. pearsei once a pair is formed. For your information, the dominant C. pearsei measures 22 cm TL which is slightly larger than the Paratilapia sp. "Andapa" (about 20 cm TL). Click on the photos below for a larger image. The Paratilapia have chosen the left part as their "nest" and the C. pearsei the right side, under the bogwood.