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Nicaragua Cichlid

Spilotum ~ Moga Family: Cichlidae

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Nicaragua Cichlids (breeding pair)Hypsophrys nicaraguensis Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The Nicaragua Cichlid is possibly the most beautiful of the Central American cichlids!

   As the Nicaragua Cichlid (also commonly know as the Spilotum) matures and gets some color, it is really a spectacular fish. But being rather drab when young, this species has not gained the popularity of other Central American cichlids, consequently they are often hard to find. This fish has several color variations, depending upon the geographic location it originates from. The most striking Nicaragua Cichlid has a brilliant gold coloring on the body, bright blue and emerald coloring on the head, some purple under and around the pectoral fins, and blue along the edges of the dorsal and anal fins. Very gorgeous!

   Like all cichlids, the Nicaragua Cichlid is territorial; but this species is relatively gentle. It is peaceful and reserved compared to other cichlids from this region and of this size. It can be kept with other smaller cichlids, but not with the more aggressive cichlids such as the Texas Cichlid or the Red Devil.

   They are cave spawners and dig extensively so aquarium decorations should be firmly grounded. They like a sandy bottom and plenty of caves or other hiding places among rocks, pieces of slate, and wood. They will occasionally eat soft leaved plants during spawning.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Distribution:
   The Nicaragua Cichlid was described by Günther in 1864.. It is also known as the Spilotum or Moga, and some sources give this fish the common name of "Parrot Cichlid". However there is another cichlid, Hoplarchus psittacus, that is more generally known as the Parrot Cichlid.
   The Nicaragua Cichlid is found in Central America along the Atlantic slope; from the San Juan drainage, including Lake Nicaragua, in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, to the Matina River drainage in Costa Rica. When young they will eat aquatic insects, but as adults they feed on bottom detritus, seeds, and leaves along with snails and other mollusks. 

Status:
   This species is not listed on the IUCN Red List.

Description:
   The body of the Nicaragua Cichlid is stocky and compact with an extremely curved head that positions the mouth on the bottom. The body is gold to copper colored with an iridescent greenish blue head. There is a dark line running through the middle of the body with a large black blotch in the center. There are numerous dark spots on the fins and the dorsal fin has a red edge. The scales on the male will have dark edges giving it an overall reticulated appearance.
   This fish has several color variations depending upon the geographic location it originates from, but the female is the more brighter colored. Wild caught specimens are also more strikingly colored than those that are captive bred.

Size - Weight:
   These fish get up to 9 inches (23 cm).

Care and feeding:
   The Nicaragua Cichlid is an omnivore. In nature they feed on all kinds of plant seeds, leaves, and bottom detritus along with snails and other mollusks. In the aquarium they will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake foods. To keep a good balance give them a high quality flake food or pellet everyday. Supplement the diet with treats of brine shrimp (either live or frozen), blood worms, snails, earthworms vegetables, and mussels. They really like thinly sliced blanched zucchini, and they will occasionally eat soft leaved plants during spawning.
   A minimum 50 gallon aquarium is suggested for a single fish, though a larger tank would be needed if keeping several. They need good water movement along with strong and efficient filtration. Provide a bottom of fine sand and plenty of hiding places among rocks, pieces of slate, and wood. The Nicaragua Cichlid is a cave spawner and digs extensively so aquarium decorations should be firmly grounded. Plants can be included, but be sure they are hardy and well rooted. They will occasionally eat soft leaved plants during spawning.
   The Nicaragua Cichlid can be rewarding to keep for aquarists that are observant and diligent in providing care. Frequent water changes are necessary as their excretions will cloud the water and promote disease. Do water changes of 20 to 25% a week depending on bio load. They are subject to infections as well as other diseases that ail all freshwater fish.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   These fish will swim in the middle and lower areas of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
   Hardness: 8-15° dGH
   Ph: 6.5 to 7.5
   Temp: 74-80° F 23-27° C

Social Behaviors:
   The Nicaragua Cichlid get territorial though are much more gentle than many cichlids their size. They are not a general community fish. The should be kept in a species tank or with other cichlids. They can be kept with smaller cichlids, just not more aggressive cichlids. A male can be kept with one female as monogamous breeders. They will burrow and dig up plants.

Sexual Differences:
   The male is larger and has a pointed dorsal fin. The female has brighter colors.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   The Nicaragua Cichlid or Spilotum has been bred in captivity. They are egg layers and should be treated as a monogamist cave spawners. It is said that this fish has been successfully cross-bred with the Convict Cichlid Archocentrus nigrofasciatus, creating a fertile hybrid offspring.
See the description of how these fish breed in Breeding Freshwater Fish.

Availability:
   The Nicaragua Cichlid or Spilotum is occasionally available both online and in fish stores, and is usually not very expensive, starting at about $4.00 USD.

Author: David Brough, CFS

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Latest Comments
I got my nics about two months ago(pair)and they have already had a fairly decent clutch. I only paid $20.00 for the pair. I have 5 tanks from a 110 gl to 25 gl and I have to say these guys are my favorite. mickey lee 2008-01-18
Took a lot of waiting to start seeing the wonderful colors that they have. Good thing I saw their parents in the same store. This was all I needed to be convinced that my nics would grow up in one of my showcase tanks. A bit shy, but show themselves when food is present. Very unique fish, considering when visitors (people) see them for the first time and immediately ask, "what kind of fish is that?". Jason 2007-09-14
Beautiful and interesting - brought home 6 unknown, drab, one inchers to my 150 gal densely populated community cichlid tank. A year later I moved two pairings to a 29 gal- 2 years later and I now have about 2000 'nicks' in several tanks - geez! I can expect another 400-500 fry every 5-6 weeks! One inch and larger have no problem co-habitating and growing with much larger cichlids of many varieties. mike s 2007-01-21
Won a pair of Nics at an East Coast Aquarium Society auction a few days ago for $20 canadian! These fish are gorgeous! I can't believe I got them so cheap. Sonia M 2006-04-11
WHEN I FIRST GOT MY NICARAGUANS, I PURCHASED SEVERAL. AS THEY STARTED GROWING, TWO OF THESE FISH PAIRED OFF AND STARTED PICKING ON THE REST OF THE GROUP. I GOT RID OF THE REST OF THEM AND KEPT THE TWO THAT PAIRED UP. IT HAS BEEN YEARS NOW AND THE MALE IS ABOUT SEVEN INCHES LONG AND ABOUT FOUR INCHES DEEP, WITH A LARGE HEAD. THE FEMALE IS MUCH SMALLER, BUT STILL OF GOOD SIZE. HER HEAD IS MUCH SMALLER THAN THE MALE. THEY ARE IN A 90 GAL. WITH GOOD FILTRATION. SUNSHINE PEACOCKS ARE WITH THEM, OF WHICH I AM ABOUT TO TAKE OUT AS THERE ARE TOO MANY EGG EATERS IN THE TANK AND THESE FISH ARE READY TO HAVE LITTLE ONES. WENDY TURNER 2005-11-22

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