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Fast facts on Aequidens rivulatus
Biotope:
South America (it’s said, namely, Equador
and Peru) in still waters of the local river basins
Tank
size:
250/300 lt for an adult pair (see below remarks on Tankmates) is –
as far as I know – the bare minimum.
A large foot print has to be considered a “plus” because of fish
final (once fully grown up) size (mostly the male). Aquascaping of
the tank will show caves and spots to hide in: driftwood, rockwork
will be used while live plants, beyond the fact are useful and nice
to look at will be – most likely - uprooted. A good filtration
(remember this fish is said to prefer still waters)
is a
must,
while the
same
is true
for
frequent water changes.
Water
chemistry:
pH 6.5 to 7.5; water temp 72ºF to 82ºF (20-24°C)
Spawning:
Like many other large CA/SA cichlids the best way to achieve a
healthy spawn
is by getting
a
group of unrelated juveniles to grow from fry to adulthood
(sexually mature) fish allowing them to – freely - pair off. The
pair will breed in “open water” and usually spawn on a flat stone
(remember this hint when aquascaping
the tank).
Water
chemistry is of minor, to neglectable, importance. Once a pair is
formed
they will easily spawn in hard or soft water and high or low pH. In
this case
they fish will
show an
excellent parental care and a single batch can include up to 400 fry
(feed them on baby brine shrimp or fine flake food). The female will
take (is said to do so, no direct experience) the dominant role in
raising the fry.
Food:
They are omnivorous and will accept all types of food. Live food
(aka smaller fish that fit their mouth) will be considered a
“bonus”!
Tank
Mates:
As with many
other
large
cichlids,
tankmates will be chosen among fishes (cichlids or not) big enough
to face the Aequidens rivulatus. Dither fishes, too, will
have to
be
fast and sturdy. Loriicarids of big size (Hypostomus, Panaque) can,
also be considered as suitable tankmates. NOTE: When young they may
be kept in cichlid community but – in the long run – this fish does
best when kept in a species tank. American common name of this fish
is Green Terror …
in this case
a nickname is worth one thousand words.
NOTE:
The
pair
shown in
these photos
is
hosted by Costantino Orlandi (excellent breeder, by the way!)
owner
of the fish shop
“Blu & Verde” in Cerenova (immediately close to Rome, Italy) |
