Anyone have experience with Cuban Cichlids?

[duanes]

The difference between males and females can be quite dramatic, the females profile is very torpedo like, and there is solid color in the dorsal, like the one below.

Note the much steeper profile in the male on the left below, and the broken color in the dorsal, not to mention overall size difference.

My suggestion would be to get at least 3 or 4 females, to allow a true compatible pair to develop, just getting and 1 female, putting it with the male, and expecting it to work is a risky situation.
Once a compatible pair is found, I have found them to be quite monogamous, if provided suitable target fish to help hold their pair bond, yet not threaten it. The pair below spawned many times producing lots of fry, and lived quite copasetically in a 150 gal tank for along time.

 

[Mmarder08]

Thanks again I think I will go that route and purchase more than one female. What would be a suitable target fish in your opinion?

 

[aclockworkorange]

Anyone else think this guy looks like the viejo criolla strain coming out of Florida? Haven't seen enough of them.


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[duanes]

Although not geographically correct, I have used a school of African algae eating cichlids as targets at times. Many of the Metriaclima and related genus are not particularly predatory, but can hold their own, and are fast enough to escape. They are also readily available, and often not expensive.

 

[Mmarder08]

Aclockworkorange I finally found a pic of what you where talking about and yes my fish does look exactly like the pic I seen of tetracanthus 'Viejo Criolla strain. My question would be is that a good thing? And what exactly is this strain just a special breeder or something? Sorry for being a noob in advance lol.

 

[tjrcf25]

Only reason I would second guess Viejo Criolla is because you are basing it off how he looks over no substrate. My Cubans are not of the Viejo Criolla strain, but they do "white out" if I move them to a tank with light or no substrate. On the other hand, they also turn extremely dark when over black sand/substrate. It may be or may not be, not saying it isn't at all, just saying it may not be 100% for sure.

 

[aclockworkorange]

LOL, it's never going to be 100% anyway unless you trace it back. I've just never seen another tetracanthus that wasn't what's being called viejo criolla with that body shape and so much white with black unpaired fins.

Here's my old male just for fun, looks like a typical Cuban you see in the hobby here...

Here is an interesting read:
http://www.cichlidae.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2604&sid=93de76dbdcb9fb99311aaa103ea5666a&start=0

Hmm...

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[tjrcf25]

Good read. I can definitely see it.

 

[cokeisamidas]

Here is my cuban i think he is a male but not quite sure.

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