Triangle Cichlid (Uaru amphiacanthoides) Breeding Guide
Breeding Uaru amphiacanthoides: a substrate spawner whose fry graze on the parents' slime coat, much like discus.
Overview
Uaru amphiacanthoides, the triangle cichlid or waroo, is a large cichlid of the Amazon basin reaching up to about 25 cm and used both as a food fish and in the aquarium trade. It is a substrate spawner whose fry feed off the parents' slime coat in much the same way as discus, making it an advanced breeding subject.
Sexing
These fish are not sexually dimorphic, so external sexing is not reliable; keeping a group and allowing a pair to form is the practical route to a breeding pair.
Conditioning
Wild-caught fish need water matching their natural habitat, while captive-bred fish are less fussy. Condition the pair well, recognising that the species is largely herbivorous and needs plant matter in its diet.
Breeding Setup
- Very soft, acidic water (around 5 °dH or softer)
- Warm water in the maintenance range of about 27-30 °C (82-86 °F)
- A flat rock or piece of bogwood as a spawning surface
- A large, quiet tank reflecting the adult size
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Spawning takes place on a flat rock or piece of bogwood that the pair cleans before the female deposits eggs and the male fertilises them. Soft, acidic conditions matching the natural habitat best support spawning in wild-caught stock.
Egg & Fry Care
After the fry become mobile they readily graze on the parents' slime coat, in much the same manner as discus, drawing nourishment from the secretion during their early development under the care of both parents.
Common Challenges
Because the species is monomorphic, pairing requires growing a group. Wild-caught adults are demanding about very soft, acidic water, and the large adult size means breeding requires a substantial tank.