robertprice
July 24th, 2013, 08:04 AM
Cichlasoma atromaculatum from Colombia is a large attractive member of the genus thought to be be fairly closely related to the Red Terror. It is characterized by a oval pointy snouted body and pointy rear fins, and three assemblages of dark spots. The most typical is an irregular midbody row, usually 7 splotches long, the second of which is the largest, and there is a an ocellate caudal peduncle. There ls another row of about 6 dark spots just below the dorsal fin and reaching the forehead. There is a third cluster of 2 to 8 blotches on the belly. The belly and eye are red-orange, and get brighter during breeding season. The blotches sometimes fuse into vertical bars, and the 3rd to 5th of these often extend onto the dorsal fin. The fins are wine colored and may have orange streamers. Males have long streamers, females are more subdued in color and have rounder fins. They like acid water of 76 to 84 degrees, and pH of 5.5 to 7. A pair needs a 70 gallon tank. It is rare and highly prized in the hobby. Few other details are well known. "See "Images of Cichlasoma atromaculuatum" for pictures.