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Cichlids
/ South America / Acaras / Saddle Cichlid
Saddle Cichlid, Two-spot Acara
Aequidens tetramerus | Pictures
SYN: Acara
dimerus, A. tetramerus, A. viridis, Chromis punctata, C. uniocellatus
PD: An oval shaped cichlid with a large forehead. The body coloration is split at a lateral
black stripe. Above the stripe the coloration is dusty-brown, while below the stripe the coloration is off-white. Some
populations may have broad bands on the body, while others may not. There is an obvious black spot on the
upper part of the caudal penuncle, and a duller one on the cheek. The cheek may have iridescent, worm-like
markings.
SIZE: To 10" (25 cm)
SS: L.
viridis
HAB: Found in still and slow moving water throughout South America (Guyanas, Venezuela,
Brazil, Columbia, Peru). Several different populations are known to exist.
S: bottom, middle
TANK: The Saddle Cichlid requires a tank measuring at least 48” (122 cm) with a capacity
of 55 gallons (209 L). The Saddle Cichlid requires frequent, partial water changes to thrive. Provide open swimming areas with retreats
and hiding places of wood, roots, and rocks.
This cichlid will burrow, so only use well-rooted, hardy plants, if
plants are desired.
WATER: pH 6-7.5 (6.7), dH 3-18 (6), 73-81°F (23-27°C).
SB: A territorial fish that can be kept with other Aequidens and Cichlasoma species. Pairs form nuclear families and are
excellent parents.
SC: Cichlasomines from South and Central America, Pimelodids, Loricarids, Doradids, Silver
Dollars, Pacus, Arawana.
FOOD: Live; fish, worms, shrimp, insect larvae; pellets; tablets
SEX: Differentiating between the sexes is difficult. Males are usually more colorful and
have pointed anal and dorsal fins.
B: Use water with a pH around 6.5, that has a hardness between 5-10 dH, and make frequent
partial water changes. The female lays up to 1000 eggs on rocks and roots. The parents aggressively guard the fry,
which hatch after 3-4 days and are free-swimming in 3-5 more. Start feeding with nauplii and roftiers.
BP: 7. The Saddle Cichlid is not an easy fish to breed.
R: The Saddle Cichlid is eaten as a food fish in its natural habitat. Most fish available to the hobby are
captive-bred, and have, as a result, lost some color.
Wild-caught fish are rarely imported, but are a great find. The
color of this fish depends on the habitat where it originated.
DC: 6. An aggressive cichlid that must be fed live foods.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
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