I see lots of aquarists that believe that South and Central American cichlids should be combined just because they encompass a group of both large, new world cichlids, but if you look at the differences between the water sheds, the reality is quite opposite.
Here in Panama I test water parameters wherever I collect cichlids, and even this close to South America water parameters are like night and day.
pH here averages above 8, and hardness and mineral content are also quite high
Above is the Mamoni river, and a nitrate (left tube, 0 ppm) and pH test 8.2.
Beside the water though............, the inate territorial difference are also apparent.
In Amazonia cichlids live in species rich, and diverse communities of many cichlid species sharing habitat together, so territoriality is much less intense and defined. There are about 500 species of cichlids endemic to S America
But in Central America (only a little over 100 endemic species), so that diversity is much less, you sometimes only see 2 or 3 species in a large watershed, and individuals require much larger territorial boundaries.
Where I collect cichlids in Panama, in a large stretch of river, in one square mile I often find only 2 or 3 cichlid species, and their habitats are quite diverse, so they are not in the same place at the same time.
In slow flow areas I might find only Andinoacara coerleopunctatus, an insectivore, and only a few per acre
In a moderate flow areas I might only find Isthmoheros tuyrensus, a Vieja like type that has a vegetarian bias, also, only a few per acre.
And in fast flow, strong current areas, Darienheros calobrensis, a geophagine like sand sifter, and rock picker.
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FINWIN
’s Oscar. I would do just two Oscar’s and maybe could fit something like a Raphael catfish. I’ve never personally kept jags but I have seen fully grown ones at my lfs and I can’t imagine those in a 180 by itself let alone with two Oscar’s.
