..................................Quetzal
Other names:...........none Origin:......................Mexico, Guatemala, Belize Max size:..................16", 9" for females PH:............-..............6.6-7.2 Temperature:...........75-80 F. Min tank size:..........65 gallons Food:.........................Pellet food, beef heart, corn, worms, prawns, peas |
The Quetzal is another large cichlid that develops a large hump on its head. These become very colorful fish as they mature, and take their common name from a large and colorful Guatemalan bird. As the Quetzal matures, it develops from a silver and black color, to a powerful adult containing almost all the colors in the rainbow. The head is olive\pink, the gills and forhead and belly are red, the anal and ventral fins are a metalic blue, and the rest of the body and fins range from yellow to olive with black-marked scales, and green-tipped dorsal and caudal fins. This is one of the largest cichlids, having no problem reaching a length of 12" for a male if supplied with a healthy diet and regular water changes.
If several males are kept together, the dominant one may develop a hump on its head. The Quetzal is hard to sex, as there are no apparent differences in the two sexes, except that the male gets much larger and develops brighter colors when mature. Females may develop the hump on their heads too.
In the aquarium, the Quetzal spends most of its time sifting through the vegetation and roaming the tank. In nature, the fish lives in slow-moving rivers and streams. Typically, Quetzals have the same temperment as Oscars, however they are much more shy. Young specimens will dart away at the slightest disturbance if not kept with other Quetzals or suitable tankmates. As this fish grows, it gains much more confidence.
Adults spawn on flat rocks which are cleaned by them. The female lays around 1000-2000 eggs. Some eggs will drift away and are eaten by the parents. The fry hatch in three days. The parents keep them hidden under rocks or in caves, until they become free-swimming a few days later. Feed the free-swimming fry or they will peck and eat at the parents' mucus and fins for food, which is not good for the parents.
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