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Wajpamheros nourissati Care Guide

Wajpamheros nourissati is a substrate-sifting Central American cichlid from the Usumacinta basin of Mexico and Guatemala.

Overview

Wajpamheros nourissati is a Central American cichlid recently moved into its own genus Wajpamheros. FishBase records it from the Usumacinta River basin in Mexico and Guatemala. It has a golden body with dark spotting and is a substrate-sifting species.

Taxonomy

  • Family: Cichlidae
  • Genus: Wajpamheros
  • Scientific name: Wajpamheros nourissati
  • Common synonyms: Theraps heterospilus, Theraps nourissati

Habitat

It is a freshwater, demersal species of the Usumacinta basin (FishBase), where it forages over soft substrates.

Tank requirements

  • Minimum tank volume: 350 L
  • Temperature: 26-30 °C (79-86 °F)
  • pH: up to about 7.5
  • GH: 10-35 °dGH
  • Maximum size: about 22 cm TL

Diet

FishBase describes a substratum-sifting feeding strategy, in which the fish inserts its mouth into soft substrate to extract food, consistent with an omnivorous bottom-feeding habit.

Compatibility

It is a semi-aggressive, mid-water cichlid best kept with other Central American cichlids or large plecos. Small fish and plants are unsuitable given its size and substrate-sifting behavior.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed in 2018.

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