Vieja Synspilum Cichlid 17-18CM

Vieja Synspilum Cichlid The Synspilum Cichlid is a species that thrives best when kept as a stable male-female pair. Generally, they are peaceful with other cichlids, but tend to be more aggressive towards their own species, especially in smaller tanks. Given the significant adult size of this fish (both in girth and length!), a tank measuring 6′ x 2′ x 2′ is necessary. Young fish can be raised in a 4ft aquarium, but they will usually need to be separated into compatible pairs and moved to larger tanks as they grow. It’s essential to provide excellent, powerful filtration at all times and to perform partial water changes 2 to 3 times a week. The substrate in the tank should consist of sand or small rounded gravel. You can use bogwood and rocks/slate to create hiding spots, but ensure these are secured since these cichlids can easily rearrange decorations. It’s wise to bond rocks together with aquarium-grade silicone sealant before filling the tank. While plants are often eaten or uprooted, some aquarists have had success with well-rooted, established hardy mother plants that have sturdy rocks placed around their stems to prevent uprooting. If this approach fails and you still want plants, opting for plastic or silk varieties is advisable. Although this species can adapt to various water conditions, they thrive best in hard water with low nitrates, which necessitates frequent large water changes. Other Central American cichlids with a similar temperament can be good tankmates in sufficiently large aquariums that provide enough territory, but fast-moving shoaling species are often a better choice. Once they are paired and spawning, be prepared for aggression towards other fish. They may also be available for purchase under the names Synspilum or Redheaded Cichlid. You might also encounter regional color variations like ‘Shine Spots’ and hybrids with related species. The picture displayed is of previous stock, if you require any pictures of the fish in stock please get in touch all sizes are approx