.............................Pearl cichlid
Other names:...........Unknown Origin:......................Eastern Brazil Max size:..................11" PH:............-..............6.7-7.3 Temperature:...........68-75 F. Min tank size:..........65 gallons Food:.........................Pellets, live foods, vegetable matter, beef heart |
The Pearl cichlid is a large fish from Eastern Brazil. The fish is magnificently colored with various shades of blue, green and grey. The forehead is highly sloped, the mouth being low on the head enabling it to sift through the gravel easily like their cousins the "Earth Eaters."
Pearl cichlids are territorial but generally tolerant of other fishes. Though the can grow up to a foot in length, this is rare and most aquarium raised specimens grow to 10 inches or perhaps even less.
The aquarium should be well-decorated with large rocks, plants, and driftwood. The substrate should consist of round pebbles with larger stones scattered about. If you plan to breed Geophagus brasiliensis, make sure flat rocks are provided in the tank setup. Powerful filtration is needed as these fish stir up the gravel regularily
During breeding times, a pair will form and select a dark, secluded area to clean and use as a spawning site. Up to 700 eggs are layed by the female on flat rocks. The female tends to the eggs and fry while the male guards the territory.
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