The diamond cichlazoma is a large territorialfish with a high body flattened from the sides. The native land of this breed is the reservoirs of northern Mexico and Texas, as a result of which it is also called the "pearl of Texas". It is believed that the fish is able to recognize its owner. Description of aquarium fish of this breed should start with their basic decoration, which consists of emerald, blue luminous spots, embossing the whole body of fish, on the gill covers they merge into solid strips.
In the aquarium this beauty reaches a length of 20 cm.Under good conditions of maintenance, large cichlids live to almost 20 years. You can accurately determine the sex of the pet at the age of about one year after reaching the sexually mature age. The males of these fish are larger, their color is brighter, and the behavior is more aggressive towards the representatives of their breed. With age, a massive fat pad grows on the male forehead. Anal and dorsal fin rounded in female, with pointed male.
Behavior and conditions of detention
Diamond cichlazoma is aggressivebehavior towards their own breed. The struggle of males for their territory can lead to the death of weaker fish, therefore it is better to keep one pair per 100 liters of volume. Caring for a diamond cichlasma is a little difficult because of the love of the fish to tear the soil in the aquarium.
For this reason, you should choose a large soil,pretty strong plants and a powerful filter. Plants should be planted in separate pots, protecting from digging stones, which the fish can not turn over. A diamond cichlazome is suitable for a landscape with many shelters. Indicators of the optimal water composition are the following: pH 7.5, water hardness 10-15 and temperature within 20-28 ° C. When feeding, preference should be given to animal feed, from time to time alternating them with plant food.
Breeding and care for offspring
Youth with joint content on their ownchooses a couple that lasts a lifetime. Parents define their territory, choose a place for the nest and fiercely guard it from strangers. A clear sign of readiness for spawning is the change in color.
The tail half of the fish body becomesalmost black and the rest of it gets a light color. A diamond cichlazoma can sweep up to 1000 eggs on a flat stone, but most often their number is 3 times less. The diamond cichlases have a strong development of the parental instinct, the fish will follow the purity of their nests, and guard the caviar and fry. After spawning, many aquarists advise to leave one fish, as it is possible to clarify the relationship associated with upholding parental rights. During this period, it is better not to disturb the fish, because due to stress, cases of eating their own eggs and fry are not uncommon.
The diamond cichlazoma needs the rightselection of neighbors. For joint content, it is desirable to choose a proportionate or nimble fish, the best coexist those that have grown together. If the pair for a diamond cichlasma was chosen later by the aquarist, the first time it is necessary to carefully observe how they get along together. In order for the fish to appear in all its glory, except for good conditions of detention, it is necessary to pay attention to the correct lighting.
