Hi guys! Can you post a video or pictures about 8+inch Nicaragua cichlids? I watched a lot of clips, but I didn't come across a big male. I have no idea how big a wraith can be. Is it more massive than, for example, Cuban cichlid? I'm still thinking about which pair of /medium/large cichlids to put in the 125 gallons. TY!
Nicaragua cichlid question?
- Thread starter Gajzila
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The male above, was probably about 7" TL, when the shot was taken.
Below, he's with a couple others, 4" female upper.
I would consider them quite diminutive, when compared to a 10" N tetracanthus.
To me a male tetracanthus would be much more robust than a nic.
But beyond size, its kind of apples and oranges as far as how they can be kept.
The tetracanthus is a predator, that is the only cichlid found in its habitat, so doesn't play well with others, especially other cichlids.
The nicaraguense is an omnivore (tending toward the herbivorous side), that lives in a habitat with a variety of cichlid species present to interact with.
I have been able to keep nics in a community of cichlids, in tanks as small as 150 gals.
But when keeping tetracanthus, in that same tank, its territorial needs would only tolerate the pair.
But beyond size, its kind of apples and oranges as far as how they can be kept.
The tetracanthus is a predator, that is the only cichlid found in its habitat, so doesn't play well with others, especially other cichlids.
The nicaraguense is an omnivore (tending toward the herbivorous side), that lives in a habitat with a variety of cichlid species present to interact with.
I have been able to keep nics in a community of cichlids, in tanks as small as 150 gals.
But when keeping tetracanthus, in that same tank, its territorial needs would only tolerate the pair.
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Nicaraguensis have an elongate shape, they come from rapids in Costa Rica and Nicaragua where their elongate shape is favourable. Similar to Tomocichla / Neetroplus.
Nandopsis tetracanthus has a much taller and thicker/ stocky build
JDs (under the right conditions) easily reach 10" (about the same size as tetracanthus)
Below a video of JDs that are the dominant cichlid in their natural habitat, and where their habitat mates, are mostly live bearers such as mollies.
Eden2
In nature (and at times in aquariums) where JDs share habitat with other similar or more domineering cichlids, they suffer a bit, and often don't reach their potential.
Below, a video of a Cenote where M uropthalmus is the dominant cichlid.
As you can see, compared ro the first video, the JD population is much smaller, and they are a bit torn up
027 zps4b102ffd
Below a video of JDs that are the dominant cichlid in their natural habitat, and where their habitat mates, are mostly live bearers such as mollies.
Eden2
In nature (and at times in aquariums) where JDs share habitat with other similar or more domineering cichlids, they suffer a bit, and often don't reach their potential.
Below, a video of a Cenote where M uropthalmus is the dominant cichlid.
As you can see, compared ro the first video, the JD population is much smaller, and they are a bit torn up
027 zps4b102ffd
I don't consider them similar at all (except for size), and that they are new world cichlids.
JDs are omnivores, and are from the Yucatan and southern Mexico.
I wouldn't compare aggressiveness as to being similar. (except when spawning)
With more aggressive cichlid species in the same tank , JDs tend to suffer.
Cubans on the other hand, due to being the only cichlid in their natural island habitat, are innately and instinctually more aggressive, and territorial.
They are more skillful hunters, and will usually kill anything they are housed with, unless the tank large enough.
They also tend toward being more carnivoreous.
JDs are omnivores, and are from the Yucatan and southern Mexico.
I wouldn't compare aggressiveness as to being similar. (except when spawning)
With more aggressive cichlid species in the same tank , JDs tend to suffer.
Cubans on the other hand, due to being the only cichlid in their natural island habitat, are innately and instinctually more aggressive, and territorial.
They are more skillful hunters, and will usually kill anything they are housed with, unless the tank large enough.
They also tend toward being more carnivoreous.