...............Red Breasted Cichlid
Other names:...........none Origin:......................South America Max size:..................2" PH:............-..............6.4-6.8 Temperature:...........74-81 F. Min tank size:..........20 gallons Food:.........................Flakes, live foods, vegetable matter |
Laetacara dorsigera is a commonly available dwarf cichlid from South
America. Indeed i believe that this fish is amongst the most beautiful of
the dwarf cichlids currently availble. Often aquarists overlook this
charming little fish on the basis that when bought it is often a mosaic of
drab browns and yellows. Under appropriate conditions, however, when
preparing to spawn, this fish is one of the most colourful additions to a
freshwater tank. Like many other dwarf cichlids, Laetacara dorsigera is
highly sensitive to water quality and care must be taken to retain the
water chemical equivalent of status quo. This is done through water
changes, and careful selection of filtration and tank decor.
Laetacara dorsigera is a peaceful fish that is perfect as a single specimen
for the community tank. Sometimes difficult to sex, the males are larger
and the dot on the dorsal fin is more strongly accented. Also in males, the
dorsal and anal fins are longer and extend to finer points.
Breeding this species is easy, a flat rock should be selected and the pair
isolated with 1 or 2 guppies in a 70cm tank. Once spawning has occured
(normally 100-300 eggs are laid), the fish guard the eggs somewhat timidly
(thus the need for a separte spawning tank) Fry are simple to raise, and
once free swimming the guppies should be removed. Keep the parents with the
fry, until they show little interest in the school, then remove the parents
back to the community tank.
Many thanks to David Midgley for this info!
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