Uaru Cichlid

General information

These fish are silver with a black splotch  that looks like an irregular stripe in the middle of the body.  These fish can reach up to 14 inches in the wild, however, in captivity they usually only reach up to 12 inches. To keep these fish in captivity, water temperature should range from 80°F to 84°F and water pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0. The tank should have a sandy or gravel substrate, rocks, caves and hiding places. They are peaceful and can be kept in community aquariums with smaller fish, also, they should be kept in pairs or groups.

This species is omnivorous. In the wild it feeds on worms, crustaceans and plant matter. In captivity it can be fed with worms, shrimp and vegetables like peas or blanched lettuce.

To breed this species in captivity, it is best to get a group of 6 and allow it to pair off naturally. The breeding tank should have water temperature ranging from 79°F to 83°F and water pH should be between 5.5 and 7.0. The eggs take about 4 days to hatch, the fry shouldn’t be separated from the parents since they feed on their slime.

This species is native to the Amazon basin in Brazil and Guyana.