Cichlid Profiles - Bolivian Cichlid
 

The Bolivian Cichlid or Acara Cichlasoma boliviense, is a small unattractive fish that would blend right in in a tank of muddy water. Actually that's where they live, in muddy shallow pools and slow flowing muddy shorelines. The are oval in shape, grey brown to yellow brown, usually with a row of blotches that may form a horizontal line from eye to tail. The 3rd is large and dark, and the last one makes a large semi-ocellus on the upper half of the caudal penduncle. Some have a mixture of some blotches and some bars. The belly and tail and rear fins often have some subdued pearly elements.

It is found from Peru through part of the Amazon Basin to Bolivia. It gets about 4.5 inches long, likes pH 6.5-7.4 and temperatures of 74-81 degrees and fairly soft water. They do well in captivity, are good community fish, and a pair will breed in a 30 gallon tank. They have rather small egg clutches, are mildly aggressive, and are good eaters in captivity, taking most cichlid foods.

Pictures are vaialble at "Images of Cichlasoma boliviense," but many are of other species.