Tomocichla tuba Breeding Guide

Breeding notes for Tomocichla tuba, a large rheophilic cichlid of fast Atlantic-slope rivers from Nicaragua to Panama.

Overview

Tomocichla tuba (Meek, 1912) is a cichlid of the Atlantic slope of Central America, recorded from the Escondido River in Nicaragua to the Cricamola River in Panama and also reported from Costa Rica. It is associated with fast-moving waters and reaches a total length of about 30 cm (12 in). Historical synonyms include Cichlasoma tuba and Theraps underwoodi. Juveniles feed on aquatic insects while adults consume aquatic plants, algae and fruits.

Breeding Setup

FishBase lists water parameters of pH 6.8-8.0, hardness from about 4 dH upward and a temperature range of 23-33 degrees C for this benthopelagic, freshwater species. Because it is a large fish from high-velocity rivers, a breeding tank should be roomy and provide strong, well-oxygenated current, clean water and a sand substrate with rocks. The Aquairi record classifies the species as a substrate spawner of intermediate breeding difficulty, so flat stones and sheltered surfaces serve as potential spawning sites.

Common Challenges

The principal challenges are the adult size and the demand for vigorous flow and high oxygen levels, which require large tanks and powerful filtration. Detailed published spawn sizes and fry-development times from the sources consulted are not available and are omitted rather than estimated.