Orange chromide

[Theos.dad]

Can someone educate me of these fish please. I seen that there's a wild variety that looks completely different than the "man made" chromide. I'm more interested in info on the man made/pearl eye. I've read that these fish need brackish water at some point in their lives from some sources and then I've also read several places saying that they keep them in freshwater throughout.
Ive even been told that they are fine in fw but will only spawn in brackish. I've personally seen them breed in an all fw tank (and I know it's for sure fw as it is my friends tank. He's waaaay to dumb to even attempt a brackish tank. He's awesome nonetheless). So I'm very confused on what a proper setup for these fish needs to be. From what I understand they come from western India.
Like I mentioned above I'd like to know what the "man made" version is and how it came about and the reason for .asking said fish.

 

[Milingu]

They can live permanently in freshwater and they also breed in fresh water.
They were introduced to Srilanka where they formed stable wild populations that have no access to brackish or salt water.
My wild caught ones were breeding in freshwater without any problems. They just don't like too low ph though they are pretty tolerant to different water parameters.
Their tank can look like any other cichlid tank. Just provide some rocks and or wood to provide some struture and some caves for spawning. They seem to enjoy some current but its not necessary. Mine were never hiding in any caves except from breeding. They are quite tough for their size and know how to stand their ground.

The man made variety lacks the dark pigments which makes them look more yellow or orangish. The wild ones can look quite pale except their orange dots but once settled they show a lot of yellow.

Here is a picture of my remaining wild caught male. Even without the presence of the female he still shows a lot of yellow.

 

[xenacanth9]

+1

 

[duanes]

There are two other species in the genus
Etroplus canarensis, a totally freshwater denizen, and similar sized chromide to the "orange" @4"
great for smaller tanks (as small as 50 gals), and does well in shoals

and Etroplus suratensus, the green chromide, that gets the size of a dinner plate. Said to inhabit brackish conditions, but is found far inland in lakes and rivers.

Mine spawned as small as 4-5" in totally fresh water
Below pair with eggs on the underside of a log

These are also primarily vegetarian
Below of video of them eating dandelions
Etroplus eating dandilions
The Etroplines are also the closest relative of the Paretroplines from Madagascar

These are snaileaters

Sorry to ramble, but Etroplus and Paretroplus are some of my favorite cichlids
Below Paretroplus kieneri