Silver cichlid

The silver cichlid is a large, robust Central American cichlid from the Usumacinta drainage of southern Mexico and Guatemala, formerly placed in Vieja and Paraneetroplus. Adults reach around 30 cm and display a silvery body that flushes with dark barring and, in breeding condition, striking contrast. It is a powerful, territorial fish that becomes especially aggressive when spawning, demanding a very large tank with robust rockwork, driftwood and open swimming space. House it only with similarly sized, sturdy tankmates such as other large Central American cichlids or robust catfish. Predominantly herbivorous in the wild, it thrives on a vegetable-based diet of spirulina and quality cichlid pellets supplemented with occasional meaty items; excessive protein can cause bloat. Hard, alkaline, well-filtered water and diligent maintenance are essential given its size and heavy waste output.