Tomocichla sieboldii Care Guide
Tomocichla sieboldii, now placed in Talamancaheros, is a rheophilic cichlid from Pacific-slope rivers of Costa Rica and Panama.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Tomocichla sieboldii, currently placed in the genus Talamancaheros, is a rheophilic Central American cichlid. FishBase records it from the Pacific slope, from Esparza in Costa Rica to the Río Santa María in Panama, where it inhabits moderate to fast-flowing waters.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Tomocichla
- Scientific name: Tomocichla sieboldii
- Common synonyms: Talamancaheros sieboldii
Habitat
It is a freshwater species of moderate to fast-flowing rivers on the Pacific slope of Costa Rica and Panama (FishBase).
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 350 L
- Temperature: 24-29 °C (75-84 °F)
- pH: 7.0-8.0
- GH: 9-19 °dGH
- Water flow: strong
- Maximum size: about 25 cm SL
Diet
It is an omnivore. FishBase reports that juveniles consume primarily aquatic insects, while adults feed on vegetable matter including aufwuchs and algae.
Compatibility
It is a semi-aggressive, mid-water rheophilic species best kept with other Central American stream cichlids or large plecos in a strongly flowing tank; small fish and plants are unsuitable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Data Deficient, assessed in 2019.
Tomocichla asfraci Breeding Guide
Overview
The record scientific name Tomocichla sieboldii corresponds to Siebold's cichlid, now usually placed in the genus Talamancaheros as Talamancaheros sieboldii (Kner, 1863). Earlier names include Heros sieboldii, Cichlasoma sieboldii and Tomocichla sieboldii. According to Wikipedia it is found in fast- and moderately-flowing rivers on the Pacific slope of western Panama, reaches up to 25 cm (10 in) in standard length, and feeds on vegetable matter and detritus.
Breeding Setup
As a sizeable cichlid of fast- to moderately-flowing rivers, this species needs a spacious tank with strong, well-oxygenated current, clean water and a sand substrate combined with rocks. The Aquairi record classifies it as a substrate spawner of intermediate breeding difficulty, so flat stones and sheltered surfaces should be offered as potential spawning sites.
Common Challenges
The Wikipedia article consulted contains no specific information on spawning behaviour, egg numbers or fry care for this species. The main practical challenges are its adult size and its preference for flowing, oxygen-rich water. Detailed reproduction figures are not documented in the sources consulted and are omitted here.