robertprice
July 5th, 2013, 03:54 PM
This rather plain cichlid of Atlantic Costa Rican and Panamanian rivulet and sream bottoms was assigned to Amphilophus in 1997, partly based on the genetic compsure of its cytochrome b electron transport chain. It is a plain grey or light brown cichlid with a prominent midbody dark blotch below ther dorsal fin and another on the caudal penduncle. The midbody blotch may be surrounded with vague yellow or white patches. It may have a series of 7 irregular black blotches running down the sides, or they may be partially fused into a fairly straight line, or form vague vertical bars. Most picture collections are infitrated with other species. Sam Borstein's photos are accurate. The first 2 pictures in "Images of Amphilophus bussingi " are accurate. Others are actually A. lyonsi. This is a 7 inch mud grubber, with males being very similar to females. It is an omnivore that sifts the bottom for insects, seeds and detritus. It likes pH 7-7.8, and temperartures of 76-80 degrees. It is only mildly aggressive to other fish, but instraspecifically aggressive.
In the aquarium, it prefers a sand substrate, can be kept singly or in pairs, and is a substrate spawner which can lay 600 eggs. A pair should have a 55 gallon tank, and they eat a variety of small foods and flakes.
In the aquarium, it prefers a sand substrate, can be kept singly or in pairs, and is a substrate spawner which can lay 600 eggs. A pair should have a 55 gallon tank, and they eat a variety of small foods and flakes.