Cyprinidae: Cobitis Biwae Acanthophthalmus

Sunday, 22 July 2012

Cobitis Biwae Acanthophthalmus

The Managua Cichlid, also known as the Aztec Cichlid and the Jaguar Cichlid, is a beautifully marked cichlid. Young Managua Cichlids are dull silver/gold with spots running along their bodies. As they mature, they become duller. When sexually mature, the drab blotches become darker, eventually turning black with an irregular pattern like that of the jaguar cat. The background color is pearly with a light purple cast. The blotches are less extreme in females. The lower lip often extends up over the upper lip, sometimes revealing some of the front teeth.

As a juvenile, the Managua Cichlid can be housed in a 50 gallon minimum aquarium. The adult requires an aquarium no smaller then 70 gallons.