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Cichlids
/ South America / Chocolate Cichlid
Chocolate Cichlid
Hypselecara temporalis | Pictures
Synonyms: Acara
crassa, Acara temporalis, Astronotus crassa, Cichlasoma arnoldi, C. coryphaenoides, C. crassa, C. goeldii, C. hellabrunni,
C. temporale, Chuco axelrodi, Heros crassa, H. temporalis
Physical description: An egg-shaped fish with a small mouth.
The iris of the eye may range in color
from amber-gold to bright red.
The body color is a mustard-yellow with a large, characteristic black blotch at the mid-section
of the body.
On the caudal penuncle are some similar, but smaller markings.
The belly and throat regions are bright
red as is the area near the gill covering and the surrounding parts of the eye.
The fins are red with some mustard-yellow
areas.
Size/Length: To 12" (30 cm)
Similar species:
Cichlasoma synspilus, Cichlasoma bifasciatum
of Central America.
Several Chocolate Cichlids are known to the hobby, although this species
is by far the most common.
H. coryphaenoides
, another Chocolate Cichlid from Guyana and Brazil is occasionally available.
Habitat: Found in still and slow-moving water with heavy vegetation in Lake Hyanuary, Lake
Saraca, and the Hyutay River.
South America; Brazil.
S: All
Aquarium: A tank measuring 48" (122 cm) or 55 gallons (209 L) is recommended.
This
fish prefers large, roomy, tall tanks.
Use tall plants and rocks structures to provide hiding places.
The
plants used should be hardy and well-rooted for this fish may burrow.
This fish prefers peat filtered water.
Suggest
bog wood to make the water soft.
Water chemistry: pH 5.2-7.2 (6.4), dH 0-12 (2), 77-84°F (25-29°C)
Social behavior: A peaceful cichlid despite its size.
However, this species is often aggressive towards
others of its own kind.
This fish can be kept with tetras to other large fish.
Suggested companions: Cichlids (Waroo, Discus, Angelfish, Festivum, Severum), catfish (Loricarids, Armored
Catfish, Doradids), characins (large tetras, Silver Dollars,
Leporinus, Anostomus)
FOOD: Live; insects, insect larvae, crustaceans; flakes; pellets; tablets.
SEX: Older males have a nuchal hump on their forehead.
Breeding techniques: Breeding is somewhat difficult.
Up to 1000 eggs are laid on vertical surfaces
such as stone plates (slate), glass, and plants.
The fry are taken to cavities where they are guarded by the parents.
Start
feeding with Artemia
nauplii, and roftiers.
Often the pair do a poor job caring for their young during their first
brood.
In successive broods, the parents take better care of the fry.
Usually the pair breaks up after spawning
season.
Breeding potential: 7.
A moderately difficult species to breed.
Remarks: Frequent water changes are necessary for this fish to develop its beautiful colors and
stay healthy.
In nature, the Chocolate Cichlid takes insects from the water surface.
Most fish now available to the hobby
are captive bred in Florida or the Far East.
Sexually mature at 4.7" (12 cm).
Difficulty of care: 5.
The Chocolate Cichlid is a large, peaceful fish that requires a diet including 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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