Redhead Cichlid (Vieja melanura) Care Guide
Vieja melanura is a large detritivorous cichlid of the Atlantic slope of Mexico, Belize and Guatemala, with a dark caudal band and herbivorous diet.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Vieja melanura is a large Central American cichlid. It carries a horizontal dark bar, often patchy or mottled, at the base of the tail, with a caudal stripe extending downward from the peduncle. FishBase records a maximum total length of about 35 cm. The hobby name Vieja synspila is treated as a junior synonym of this species.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Vieja
- Scientific name: Vieja melanura
- Junior synonym: Vieja synspila
Habitat
The species occurs on the Atlantic slope of Central America in the Río Grijalva-Usumacinta system and the Petén lake district, across Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. It inhabits rivers, lakes and lagoons with slow-moving or standing water and tolerates brackish conditions up to about 5 ppt. FishBase lists a temperature range of 24-30 °C, pH 7.0-8.0 and hardness 9-20 dH.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 500 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 7.0-8.0
- GH: 8-18 °dGH
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
Diet
Adults are largely herbivorous and detritivorous (FishBase trophic level about 2.6), consuming detritus, plant matter and aquatic macrophytes, while juveniles begin as planktivores. A diet emphasising vegetable matter is appropriate in captivity.
Compatibility
In aquaria individuals tend to be aggressive. Bonded pairs generally coexist, though males may bully females. A spacious tank with robust tank mates of similar size is recommended; small fish are unsuitable.
Breeding
The species is oviparous and highly fecund, reaching maturity at around 10 cm. Females may produce around 300-500 fry per spawning and up to about 1,000 eggs per year, with biparental care of the brood.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Data Deficient.
Vieja melanura Breeding Guide
Overview
Vieja melanura is a large Central American cichlid native to the Peten lake district, the Rio Grijalva-Usumacinta system and adjacent Atlantic-slope waters of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Costa Rica. It is a monogamous, biparental substrate-spawner. According to recent DNA work, the fish long known in the hobby as Vieja synspila is now treated as the same species as V. melanura.
Sexing
The species is sexually dimorphic: males grow larger and develop a prominent nuchal hump on the forehead. Sexual maturity is reported from around 10 cm.
Conditioning
A compatible pair is conditioned on a varied diet in stable water. Because the species can be aggressive at breeding time, a generously sized tank with structure is needed before any spawning attempt.
Breeding Setup
- A large tank with rockwork providing flat stones and caves as spawning sites.
- Stable, neutral to slightly alkaline water; the species tolerates brackish conditions up to about 5 ppt in the wild.
- Sand or fine substrate, in keeping with the species' habitat.
- Space for a bonded pair to establish and defend a territory.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Spawning occurs on a rock or in a cave after the couple clean and clear the site of detritus. The eggs are laid and fertilised on the polished surface. Pairs are monogamous and strongly territorial during the breeding cycle.
Egg & Fry Care
The species is highly fecund, laying up to about 1,000 eggs per year and producing around 300-500 fry per spawning. Eggs hatch in two to three days and the fry free-swim by about day four; the young can be raised on fine foods or Artemia nauplii. Both parents provide care but may become aggressive toward the fry when ready to spawn again.
Common Challenges
The main challenges are the large tank required and managing aggression, including the parents turning on older fry. The recorded breeding type is substrate-spawner, matching the monogamous, biparental stone-and-cave spawning described by the sources used here. Note the synonymy with Vieja synspila reported by these sources.