Rainbow Cichlid

Size: 12.5cm
Temp: 22-28°C
PH: 6.5-7.4
Diet: flake, granules, cichlid pellets, live/frozen/freeze dried foods

Tank requirements: These beautiful hardy fish need a minimum of a 3ft tank. They originate from a river area so they like a moderate flow of very clean water; this means excellent filtration and frequent water changes (once a week, or 2 small changes in our opinion). They like areas where they can shelter and hide amongst heavy vegetation and rocks, roots and bog wood. They are a great warning fish as they do not have their intense colours when they are unhappy, which is a good sign for checking their water quality.

Tank mates: Being much more peaceful than other cichlids, these fish can be kept with tetras and barbs that have a triangular body (or a deep body; think non torpedo shaped fish) such as serpae tetras, tiger barbs, diamond tetras, or fast fish such as penguins (but only when introduced while rainbow cichlids are very juvenile and penguins are larger - due to shape!), rainbow fish, giant danios,etc as well as the likes of gouramies, dwarf cichlids, other gentle south american cichlids, and angels. Catfish and plecs can also be kept, however, with catfish would stick to armoured (ex hoplesternum) or small synodontis. Plecs of any kind would be tolerated.