Data sheet Red-breasted cichlid
German name:
Red-breasted cichlid
Scientific name:
Laetacara dorsigera
Origin:
South America, Amazon Basin, Rio Guaporé, Rio Paraná Basin, Rio Paraguay
Size:
Males up to 8 cm, females up to 6 cm
Aquarium
Length:
from 100 cm
Contents:
from 150 liters
water values
Temperature:
21 to 26°C
pH:
6.0 to 7.2
GH:
2 to 18 °dGH
CH:
2 to 7 °dH
Behave
Area:
lower and middle range
Lining:
Frozen food, live food (Artemia, Tubifex, mosquito larvae), vegetable food, dry food
Behave:
shy, peaceful, aggressive during brood care
Number:
paired attitude
Difficulty level:
Beginner © Chris Ritzer
naming
As the name suggests, the red-breasted cichlid belongs to the cichlid family (Cichlidae). Other designations are Red spotted cichlid, Dorsigerus cichlid or English Redbreast acara. The conspicuously marked animals can often be found in aquariums.
Their body is high backed, elongated and flattened at the sides. This includes a blunt, powerful head with a convexly rounded forehead.
The Base color varies depending on area of origin between bluish, grey, brownish or yellowish-green. Because of this, they can easily be mistaken for other cichlids. In the front area, the fish are mostly greenish and become bluish towards the back. If the animals often get live food, this ensures more intense colors. The The mood of the fish also influences the color. When stressed, they fade and 1 to 8 dark transverse bands become visible. A black lateral spot with a gold-yellow border sometimes appears.
The fins are covered with many stripes and small spots and are lined with reddish-brown.
Natural environment
In nature, the fish colonize the banks of slow-flowing water bodies or ponds. They stay in heavily overgrown areas where it is shaded and dim light prevails.
Your tank should be set up accordingly. The bottom is covered with a layer of dark sand or fine gravel. The edges are densely planted, leaving enough space in the middle for swimming. This area will shaded with floating plants. Roots or stone structures are often accepted as hiding places. There should be enough space in the tank so that the animals can stake out their territory during the mating season without disturbing the other tank residents. Although the fish are rather shy, they vigorously defend their territory against any intruders during the breeding season. The aquatic plants are neither dug up nor eaten.
The pool should not be lit too brightly. One strong filter system is essential, the fish react extremely sensitive to poor water quality and contamination. A partial water change should be carried out weekly. The fish show their most beautiful colors in slightly acidic and soft water.
gender differences
The males are around 2 cm longer than the females, they are higher backed and their fins are extended longer.
breed
These cichlids are easy to breed in the aquarium.
In the mating season the animals turn darker, the chest and the underside of the head then glow intensely red.
During this time, the fish shed their natural reserve.
The water should be between 26 and 28 °C, have a pH of 6.0 to 6.8 and have a total hardness below 10 °dGH. Sufficient spawning opportunities must be available in the tank, flat stones or roots are suitable.
The fish are substrate spawner. They choose a spawning rock around which to build their territory. The stone is thoroughly cleaned before the eggs are laid. Sometimes they dig a shallow pit in the sand where the eggs are laid. A clutch can consist of up to 300 eggs and is guarded by both parents. The larvae hatch after just 40 to 50 hours.
rearing
After another 5 days the young fish swim freely. You will start with wheels or parameciums fed. Artemia nauplii or Cyclops nauplii can be given later. Dust food is also possible, but is usually poorly accepted.
The young perch grow slowly, they are extremely sensitive to changes in water parameters. Moving to another tank or major water changes should be avoided during this time.
After 9 months the fish are fully grown.
socialization
Red-breasted cichlids can easily be socialized with other peaceful fish.
Tetras or other peaceful dwarf cichlids such as butterfly cichlids are well suited.
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