Nicaragua Cichlid Care Guide
Hypsophrys nicaraguensis, the Nicaragua cichlid, is a colorful, comparatively peaceful cichlid from Atlantic-slope waters of Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Hypsophrys nicaraguensis, the Nicaragua cichlid or moga, is a colorful Central American cichlid also known as the macaw or butterfly cichlid. FishBase records it from the Atlantic slope, from the San Juan drainage including Lake Nicaragua to the Matina River in Costa Rica. It is comparatively peaceful for its size.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Hypsophrys
- Scientific name: Hypsophrys nicaraguensis
Habitat
It is a freshwater, benthopelagic species of lakes and rivers with slow to moderate currents at elevations between about 5 and 200 m (FishBase).
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 350 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 7.0-8.0
- GH: 8-18 °dGH
- Maximum size: about 20 cm TL
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
Diet
It is an omnivore. FishBase reports that juveniles consume aquatic insects while adults feed on bottom detritus, seeds, leaves, snails and other molluscs. It accepts varied prepared foods in captivity.
Compatibility
Compared with typical Central American cichlids it is semi-aggressive, making it one of the better large community options. Suitable companions include other Central American cichlids, bristlenose plecos and silver dollars; very small fish should be avoided.
Breeding
It is a cave spawner. Females produce roughly 200-400 non-adhesive eggs deposited in excavated depressions, and communal egg-guarding by groups of females has been recorded.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed in 2019.
Nicaragua Cichlid Breeding Guide
Overview
Hypsophrys nicaraguensis, the Nicaragua cichlid, is native to the Atlantic slope of the San Juan drainage, including Lake Nicaragua, and the Matina River drainage in Nicaragua and Costa Rica (FishBase, Seriously Fish). It is notable among Central American cichlids: unlike most pit-spawners, its eggs are not adhesive and simply sit on the substrate in a sand depression.
Sexing
Females are smaller with more vibrant colour and retain a black lateral stripe, while males develop a nuchal hump on maturing and the stripe reduces to a single flank spot (Seriously Fish). FishBase lists females reaching about 20 cm and a maximum length around 25 cm.
Breeding Setup
Provide an open sand area for digging and caves or rockwork. Seriously Fish gives breeding water of about 23-28 °C, pH 7.0-8.0 and hardness 8-20 °H; FishBase lists a species range of 23-36 °C, pH 7.0-8.0 and hardness 9-20 dH. The best way to get a pair is to start with six or more young fish and let them pair off; pairs typically bond for life.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Eggs are deposited in sand depressions and, unusually for the region's pit-spawners, are non-adhesive (FishBase, Seriously Fish). The female initially guards the cave or pit while the male patrols the territory boundaries, after which both partners cooperate in protecting young and territory.
Egg & Fry Care
A spawn produces about 200-400 non-adhesive eggs (FishBase). Eggs hatch in 2-3 days and the fry become free-swimming after a further 3-5 days; they can be fed brine shrimp nauplii and then powdered dried foods (Seriously Fish). FishBase notes females may practise communal care, with several females guarding combined spawns.
Common Challenges
The species is only semi-aggressive compared with most large Central American cichlids, but pairing still requires growing a group together. Maintaining an open sand substrate for the non-adhesive eggs is important for a successful spawn.