Vieja zonata Care Guide
Vieja zonata is a large Mexican cichlid from the Pacific-slope Tehuantepec basin, kept in hard alkaline water in spacious aquaria.
Overview
Vieja zonata is a large Central American cichlid from southern Mexico. It belongs to the genus Vieja within the heroine cichlids and is a robust, deep-bodied species kept by specialist cichlid hobbyists.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Vieja
- Scientific name: Vieja zonata
- Described: Meek, 1905
Habitat
The species occurs on the Pacific slope of Mexico, in the Tehuantepec River basin. It is a freshwater, benthopelagic cichlid of tropical rivers.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 7.0-8.0
- GH: 8-18 °dGH
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
Vieja zonata is omnivorous, with a comparatively low trophic level indicating a substantial plant component in its diet. A varied aquarium diet combining prepared foods with vegetable matter suits the species.
Compatibility
This is a large, semi-aggressive and territorial cichlid best kept with other robust Central American cichlids and large catfish in a spacious tank. It is not plant-safe and is unsuitable with small fish.
Breeding
Vieja-group cichlids are substrate spawners. Eggs are laid on a cleaned firm surface and tended by both parents.