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Tomocichla tuba Care Guide

Tomocichla tuba is a rheophilic Central American cichlid from fast-flowing Atlantic-slope rivers of Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.

Overview

Tomocichla tuba is a rheophilic Central American cichlid. FishBase records it from the Atlantic slope, from the Escondido River in Nicaragua to the Cricamola River in Panama, where it inhabits moderate to fast-flowing rivers with high water velocity.

Taxonomy

  • Family: Cichlidae
  • Genus: Tomocichla
  • Scientific name: Tomocichla tuba

Habitat

It lives in fast-moving waters on the Atlantic slope of Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama, occupying rivers with high current velocity (FishBase, Wikipedia).

Tank requirements

  • Minimum tank volume: 350 L
  • Temperature: 23-27 °C (73-81 °F)
  • pH: 6.8-8.0
  • GH: 8-18 °dGH
  • Water flow: strong
  • Maximum size: about 30 cm TL

Diet

It is an omnivore. FishBase reports that adults consume aquatic plants, algae and fruits, while juveniles are partial to aquatic insects.

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, well-oxygenated tank; small fish and plants are unsuitable.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed in 2019.

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