Cichlid Profiles - Guyas or Harlequin Cichlid
 

Amphilophus hogaboomorum is a large attractive species native to the Rio Choluteca of the Pacific slope of Honduras, in both fresh and brackish water. It grows up to 16 inches and looks a bit like A. amarillo having 7 thick verical dark stripes behind the operculum, the 4th with a moderate size body blotch in the center, and fainter stripes on the forehead. It often has a red or rose colored gill cover, face and forehead. The belly may be nearly white. The young are much plainer sriped grey and tan fish. It is aggressive, but not terribly so. It is a true omnivore, sexually differentiated by the male's large nuchal hump, and likes pH of 7.2-7.8 and temperature of 76-82 degrees.

In the aquarium a pair needs at least a 100 gallon tank. Juveniles cost less than $10 online. They are easy to keep and breed, grow fast, and are substrate spawners which lay 200-300 eggs on flat stones or in flowerpots. They are very good parents. They eat most commercial large cichlid foods and should be given some spirulina or vegetable food as well. See "Images of Amphilophus hogaboomorum" for pictures.