Mesoheros atromaculatus Care Guide
Mesoheros atromaculatus is a Colombian cichlid with dark flank blotches, a medium-sized substrate-spawning species for soft, warm aquaria.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Mesoheros atromaculatus is a medium-sized heroine cichlid from Colombia, named for the dark blotch pattern on its flanks. The genus Mesoheros was established in 2015 by McMahan and Chakrabarty, and the generic placement of this species has historically been uncertain.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Mesoheros
- Scientific name: Mesoheros atromaculatus
- Described: Regan, 1912
Habitat
According to FishBase the species occurs in the Atrato, San Juan and Baudó river basins of Colombia. Species of the genus Mesoheros are found in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, in rivers draining to both the Atlantic and Pacific. It is a freshwater, benthopelagic cichlid.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 350 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
Mesoheros atromaculatus is omnivorous, with a moderate trophic level. A varied aquarium diet combining prepared cichlid foods with live or frozen meaty items and some vegetable matter is appropriate.
Compatibility
This is a semi-aggressive, mid-water cichlid best kept with similarly sized, robust tankmates. Small tetras and more aggressive cichlids are unsuitable companions, and the species is not reliably plant-safe.
Breeding
The species is a substrate spawner. FishBase reports that up to about 3,000 eggs are deposited on open substrate such as a flat stone, consistent with biparental open-substrate spawning.
Black-Spotted Cichlid (Mesoheros atromaculatus) Breeding Guide
Overview
Mesoheros atromaculatus is a South American cichlid from the Atrato, San Juan and Baudo River basins in Colombia, reaching a maximum length of 25.0 cm. It is an open substrate spawner that forms pairs, with the female taking the leading role in defending eggs and young.
Breeding Setup
Provide open spawning surfaces such as a flat stone within a spacious tank. Reported environmental parameters for the species are a temperature of 23-29 degrees C, pH 5.5-7.5 and a soft hardness of 0-3 dH; the species occurs in freshwater and brackish, benthopelagic habitats.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Up to 3000 eggs are deposited on open substratum, such as a flat stone. Spawning has typically been reported only once the fish reach a relatively large size, so mature, well-conditioned pairs are needed before spawning attempts succeed.
Egg & Fry Care
Mainly the female guards the eggs and young after spawning. Maintain clean, stable water within the parameters above while the parents tend the brood through hatching and the early free-swimming stage.