Data sheet saddle cichlid
German name:
Saddleback cichlid
Scientific name:
Guianacara owroewefi
Origin:
South America
Size:
Body length up to 17 cm
Aquarium
Length:
Length from 120 cm width and from 60 cm width
Contents:
from 360 liters
water values
Temperature:
23°-29° C
pH:
5.5-8
GH:
5° – 20° dH
Behave
Area:
middle and lower area
Lining:
Live food, flake food, granulated food
Behave:
peaceful, sociable
Number:
Pair and from 5 conspecifics
Difficulty level:
normal, breeding difficult
Origin
The home of the saddle cichlid is South America. Its distribution area is mainly the rivers of French Guyana. The species belongs to the family of cichlids.
Look
Guianacara Sphenozona – Saddleback Cichlid – Image 1 | © Fishtopia GmbH
It is about a medium-sized fish species. The body is high on the back and flattened at the sides. The head is high and short. He has a steep and rounded forehead. The mouth is relatively small to the body size and is below. The fins are expansive. clearest identifying features are: A broad black band that runs from the top to the bottom of the head and through the eye. Another vertical black band located about halfway down the two sides of the body.
attitude
saddle-spot cichlids are peaceful and undemanding freshwater fish. If cared for in a species-appropriate manner, they can reach an impressive size of around 17 cm. In order to give the animals enough space, the aquarium must have a filling volume of at least 360 l. In addition, the natural habitat of the perch species is to be reproduced as well as possible. The correct water values measure a temperature of 23 to 29 degrees Celsius and a pH value between 5.5 and 8.0.
The substrate of the aquarium consists of fine sand, since the perch species are in it digging wellsto spawn. Accordingly, the plants must be robust and must not be planted too densely. At the same time is up enough space to swim to respect. A blanket is ideal floating plants. This gives the fish space to swim and dig in the sand, while at the same time dimming the lighting.
If the pool is not too bright, the perch like to come out of their holes and show themselves. Various retreats from caves, roots and rocks as well as stone structures should not be missing. They are used for hiding, resting and observing. The water is filtered and has a flow.
food
A species-appropriate and varied diet for the well-being of saddle spotted cichlids works particularly well with live food from insect larvae or crustaceans. The perch take that too commercially available flake food or feed granules at.
gender differences
Possess both sexes same color. The difference can be seen in the body size. The Female is about two centimeters smaller and slimmer than the male. Older males have larger fins.
breeding and rearing
saddle-spot cichlids are cave breeders. When the fish perform a courtship ritual, they dig indentations or small caves in the sandy bottom and the female lays the eggs in them. The female takes care of the clutch while the male defends the territory.
socialization
Saddlefish are socially acceptable contemporaries. They do well in larger tanks with equally peaceful and sociable housemates. They can be kept in pairs or in a group.
Larger tetras are suitable as companion fish, but American or African butterfly cichlids can also be included. Since they regard shrimp as food, they do not belong in the aquarium.
With species-appropriate husbandry, Guianacara can enter Age of up to 4 years to reach.