Score-Cichlasoma-Never Kept These Genus Before

[bolivianbaby]

Just got back from our aquarium club meeting.

Came home with 4 F1 Cichlasoma Dimorus Constitucim (may be mis-spelled)

I'm not very familar with the cichlasoma genus, but I couldn't resist the F1 aspect. They're also not seen often around here, which made them virtually irresistible.

Google wasn't very helpful so if anyone has information on their temperament, etc, I'd love to hear about it.

Any compatible (if any) tankmate information would be great as well. The tank is a 55g species only tank unless information comes to me that a larger tank is needed and compatible tankmates is possible. They're pretty young, so I do have plenty of time to worry about a larger tank.

 

[Mahlerfan]

Congratulations! Cichlasoma are my favorite Acaras. They can be rough with each other but in my experience, get along well with other fish. Yours probably prefer cooler winter temperatures as they originate from Uruguay.

I think the 55 gallon is okay but if a pair develops and spawns you may need to remove the other two from the tank. I keep my Cichlasoma as pairs in 55 gallon tanks with some dithers. I only have 1 of this particular species (I think it's a female) but Matt (dogofwar) has some, so he should be able to give you info on this specific species. Good luck with them.

 

[ryansmith83]

The proper spelling is Cichlasoma dimerus. They are often lumped into the "port cichlid/black acara" label with several other similar species. They're definitely a handsome and personable fish. I love the port acaras.

 

[reallybigfish]

I kept a pair similar to these (were just grouped as ports). Males could get quite nippy with the females until a true bond had been formed. Provided enough room (75 gallons and up), there were no major quarrels between the pair after bonding.

They are a very calm fish, but are quite capable handling much larger and more aggressive cichlids. Mine were curious and very outgoing. They can take up a lot of room for their size when spawning and are quite aggressive then.

 

[peathenster]

Here are the parents of your fish

 

[bolivianbaby]

Congratulations! Cichlasoma are my favorite Acaras. They can be rough with each other but in my experience, get along well with other fish. Yours probably prefer cooler winter temperatures as they originate from Uruguay.

I think the 55 gallon is okay but if a pair develops and spawns you may need to remove the other two from the tank. I keep my Cichlasoma as pairs in 55 gallon tanks with some dithers. I only have 1 of this particular species (I think it's a female) but Matt (dogofwar) has some, so he should be able to give you info on this specific species. Good luck with them.

Thank you! Cooler winter temperatures...I should be able to do that. I'm assuming like the gymnogeo's-winter tank temps around 60ish?

What type of dithers do you use?

The proper spelling is Cichlasoma dimerus. They are often lumped into the "port cichlid/black acara" label with several other similar species. They're definitely a handsome and personable fish. I love the port acaras.

Thank you! This'll make "googling" much easier. The more I find out about their natural environment, the better care I can provide for them.

I kept a pair similar to these (were just grouped as ports). Males could get quite nippy with the females until a true bond had been formed. Provided enough room (75 gallons and up), there were no major quarrels between the pair after bonding.

They are a very calm fish, but are quite capable handling much larger and more aggressive cichlids. Mine were curious and very outgoing. They can take up a lot of room for their size when spawning and are quite aggressive then.

Thanks for the info. These guys sound like they're going to be a lot of fun! I'm also thinking fast dithers might be important Any "slow-moving" dithers might get slaughtered during spawning

Here are the parents of your fish

You have done a fabulous job with them! They're eating very well and have colored up since I put them in their tank. After seeing their parent's tank, I'm thinking to do a full planted tank (low lights only, though). They'd probably enjoy that.

What size tank are the parents in?

I'm looking forward to putting a name to a face at the next meeting. I'm also wishing I was better prepared financially for the "planted" driftwood being auctioned today. That was absolutely incredible.

 

[dogofwar]

You've gotten some great advice.

I haven't found them to be particularly brutal to each other, but maybe that's because I've had them together since collecting them as fry in Uruguay. I have mine (5) including 2 that seem to be a pair in a 2'x2'x1' tank with a little sand, flowerpots, plastic plants, sponge and box filters. They get weekly 1/3-1/2 water change and are big eaters (NLS, flake, red wigglers, whatever). They're in with a chanchito and some Ameca splendens goodeids. Mine haven't spawned yet but could any day (largest are ~4-5")

(Villa) Constitucion is in Northwest Uruguay so is warmer than Southern Uruguay. We found the fry in about 2' of water, overgrown with plants...and crawling with baby wolf fish (Hoplias) and tetras. The larger ones are found with pikes (crenicichla), Gymnogeos, Pimelodella type cats, etc.

Some pictures of Villa Constitucion, Uruguay and my fish...

Matt

 

[peathenster]

You have done a fabulous job with them! They're eating very well and have colored up since I put them in their tank. After seeing their parent's tank, I'm thinking to do a full planted tank (low lights only, though). They'd probably enjoy that.

What size tank are the parents in?

I'm looking forward to putting a name to a face at the next meeting. I'm also wishing I was better prepared financially for the "planted" driftwood being auctioned today. That was absolutely incredible.

They were in a 90g with some other fish, then moved into a 55g by themselves. I bred them a bunch of times but eventually run out of room, so I gave them to Ken. They did seem to enjoy plants and prefer to spawn on leaves, but they also spawned on rocks, etc. Very cool fish

An old video of them in a 55g:
[YT]jKpUQ_DiLzc[/YT]

Some pictures of Villa Constitucion, Uruguay and my fish...

Matt

Is that you in the last picture Matt?

 

[dogofwar]

Peter, that's Allejandro, who is a University student who is working on describing all of the tetras of Uruguay...

Here's me (in Artigas, UR and not Villa Constitucion)...

Matt

 

[peathenster]

Peter, that's Allejandro, who is a University student who is working on describing all of the tetras of Uruguay...

Here's me (in Artigas, UR and not Villa Constitucion)...

Matt

Ah he's the one working with Felipe? Heard a lot about him. What a fun PhD project!