Herotilapia multispinosa

Common Names:

Rainbow Cichlid

Synonyms:

Heros multispinosus

Family:

Cichlidae

Category:

Cichlids

Distribution:

America - Central; Central America.

Main Ecosystem:

Swamp; Swamps with seasonal dry periods and isolation opportunities. Adults will often breed when segregated from main river flows, sometimes in surprisingly filthy conditions.A tough cichlid, and a true survivor in areas with changing habitats and water values. Will exploit floodplains and isolated pools often difficult for most cichlids to survive within.

Temperament:

Unknown; Territorial , but not aggressive unless actually guarding eggs and fry. This species is not the most accomplished digger of spawning pits and the fry may wander, meaning their protected area may increase in size to an area of several feet. When not breeding this species uses excellent colour display and communication to minimise aggression from its own kind and conspecifics.

Diet:

Ominvore; Takes a whole range of foods in the aquarium, from meaty wormy foods, insect larvae and all manner of flakes and cichlid formulas. This fish's dentition allows it to browse algae, and eat softer leaved plants, and it can be witnessed browsing for tiny morsels throughout most of any given day.Plants however , are rarely significantly damaged unless preparing a breeding site. This is an omnivore that retains the ability to subsistance feed on algae and plants during leaner times.

Care:

A chunky little fish that when fully adult requires an aquarium of around 30 gallons, with a reasonably heavy level of planting and cover for their psychological health. This is an excellent beginners cichlid because of its wide range of accepted foods and tolerance for less than perfect water quality for short periods. Will do well in community with fish larger than 1 inch, smaller fish may find themselves on the menu, and when not actively breeding can be fine in mixed species company. Also a clever option for those tanks that require plants to be cleaned of algae when smaller species like ottocinclus and shrimp might be under threat from larger cichlids. If keeping multiple pairs, go for a 55 gal or larger, and allow for plently of crevices and bogwwod bridges etc, spaced so that they can pair off without too much conflict.

pH:

7 - 8

Temperature:

22°C - 29°C

72°F - 84°F

Hardness:

10 dH - 20 dH

Potential Size:

Male: 12cm (4.7")
Female: 12cm (4.7")

Water Region:

Middle, Bottom; Middle-Bottom

Activity:

Diurnal; Diurnal

Gender:

The males have extended dorsal and anal fins. And generally are slightly larger when full grown.

Breeding:

Use a pH of 7.0 and a higher temperature of 26°C. The eggs are laid on rocks and guarded by the male. The freshly hatched fry are moved to pits. Generally breeding conditions are secondary to the opportunity of mating itself,although temperature is the primary trigger, and almost any segregated pair given vertical surfaces on which to lay, and fine enough gravels to move and corral their young within, will most likely begin breeding. Temporary accomodations of around 15-20 gallon with no other species present will give this species the best opportunity to breed.Egg numbers vary according to age. First spawns often number around 300 or so for a fish little over an inch long, and full size adults may lay well over a thousand eggs in a single spawn. The young are quite large proportionately, mature fast,quite hardy and survival rates are good. This fish can reproduce in some number. The fry begin browsing almost immediately and will accept the microfauna from around algae, the algae itself, and are quite capable of taking powdered foods straight away.The parents can be removed after 3 weeks and the young will already be taking on a more distictive adult shape. Consequently this is also an excellent first choice cichlid for the first time prospective breeder.

Variants:

Comments:

The Rainbow Cichlid can change colours very quickly.

Main Colours:

Yellow, Black

Markings:

Not Specified

Mouth:

Normal

Tail:

Convex

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