Edit Vieja bifasciata

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Name

Scientific name

Vieja bifasciata

Described by

Not recorded

Family

Cichlidae

Common names

Red-spotted Cichlid

Photograph credits

All 1 credited

Summary

The red-spotted cichlid, Vieja bifasciata, is a large cichlid from the River Grijalva and Usumacinta basins of Mexico and Guatemala. It is …

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

300mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Not recorded

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 27–29°C, pH 7–8.5

Hardness

Not recorded

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Community suitability

Not recorded

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Not recorded

Writing

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

Recorded from the River Grijalva and Usumacinta basins in Mexico and Guatemala.

Habitat

This species is most often found in those still or slow-moving environments which favour luxuriant growth of aquatic vegetation and algae such as lakes, coasta…

Aquarium size

The tank should be no smaller than 48" x 18" x 18" (120cm x 45cm x 45cm) - 243 litres for a single specimen. Something considerably larger would be needed to h…

Maintenance

Like others in the genus, C. bifasciata loves to dig. Given that it also feeds mainly from the bottom and is herbivorous most live plants are immediately ruled…

Like others in the genus, C. bifasciata loves to dig. Given that it also feeds mainly from the bottom and is herbivorous most live plants are immediately ruled out. A layer of floating duckweed or Salvina can be useful though, the fish appreciating the extra shade whilst also using it as an additional food source.

The best choice of substrate for benthic cichlids is almost always soft sand, as it allows the fish to forage in as natural a manner as possible without the risk of grains becoming trapped in the gills or throat. Gravel is also suitable, but carries with it these additional risks. Some type of suitably-sized shelter should also be offered, the form of which is largely down to personal taste. Smooth, water-worn boulders, pieces of driftwood and tree branches can be combined to give a very effective look. Large flower pots and lengths of plastic piping are also suitable to use, although obviously the natural aesthetic would be compromised.

As with all large cichlids, filtration should be very efficient and ideally situated outside the tank for ease of maintenance. Heaterstats are also best located externally, either in a sump-style filter or as part of an all-in-one external unit with built-in heater element. "Inline" heaterstats are a modern development that are installed in place of a section of filter pipework, providing an excellent alternative to these more traditional options. If using a "classic" submersible heaterstat fit it with a sturdy guard to protect it from being buffeted by the fish.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

Web address

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

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Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Water conditions

Temperature: 27 – 29 °C pH: 7.0 - 8.5. Like most Central American species it will not do so well in acidic conditions. Hardness: General hardness values in its…

Diet

Most accurately described as a herbivorous detrivore. Wild fish graze on algae, detritus and vegetation both aquatic and terrestrial, although they are also li…

Behaviour and compatibility

This is a large and moderate to very aggressive cichild, varying from individual to individual. Vieja bifasciata has been kept successfully in large cichild co…

Sexual dimorphism

Male is larger and much more colourful with red colouring round the face and throat and gold, yellow and blue on the flanks. The female is drab by comparison.

Reproduction

All studied members of Vieja are bi-parental substrate-spawners and provided you have sufficient space are not too difficult to breed. An adult pair of V. bifa…

Notes

Vieja bifasciata are often confused with V. synspila but can be told apart as bifasciata have two prominent horizontal lines running between their eyes (hence …

References

No references

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References