Scientific name: Amphilophus citrinellus Common name: Midas cichlid Family: Cichlidae Usual size in fish tanks: 26 - 33 cm (10.24 - 12.99 inch) 0 14 Recommended pH range for the species: 6.8 - 7.5 Recommended water hardness (dGH): 10 - 30°N (178.57 - 535.71ppm) 0°C 32°F 30°C 86°F Recommended temperature: 23 - 27 °C (73.4 - 80.6°F) The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning Where the species comes from: Central America Temperament to its own species: aggressive/territorial Temperament toward other fish species: aggressive/territorial Usual place in the tank: Middle levels Food and feeding Although Midas cichlid is classed as an omnivore it will enjoy plenty of meaty foods in its diet. Quality flakes or pellets should be given for the staple diet. Bloodworms, chopped earthworms are also ideal as treats for this fish. Origin Central America; Midas cichlid is to be found in Mexico, Nicaragua and Honduras. Sexing Juveniles will be quite difficult to sex; mature males will develop a nuchal hump. Breeding The male will be very aggressive to the female when the eggs have been laid. Either remove the female or add a divider to the tank for her own safety. The male will act as the sole parent and once the fry are free swimming, they can be fed on newly hatched brine shrimp. Lifespan The expected life span for Midas cichlid is 15 years. Short description Midas cichlids need a large tank with rocks and wood for décor. They are very messy eaters so a good filtration system must be provided. Try not to add nocturnal catfish with these fish as they will disturb their rest through the night. Q&A The following questions and answers were moved here on March 24th 2011 due to merging aqua-fish.net/answers with related pages. How to tell if a Midas cichlid is pregnant? Answer: Midas cichlids are egg layers, so technically they do not get pregnant, you most likely will not know if a breeding has occurred unless you find the eggs or see babies free swimming in your tank. How do I know if my Midas cichlid is about to lay eggs? Answer: The male and female will start cleaning a spawning site on either a rock or the tank glass. The female will then start hovering over the spawning site depositing the eggs and the male will swim over them for fertilization. What do I do if my male Midas cichlid eats the eggs? Answer: You may have to remove the male from the tank after you are sure that the eggs have been fertilized, another option would be to move the eggs, but this is riskier. Pictures Thanks to Ted! Other pictures were bought from jjphoto.dk.
