Cichlid Profiles -Red Spotted Cichlid
 

Amphilophus calobrensis, the Red Spotted Cichlid, lives on the Pacific Coast of Panama in large bodies of water, near submerged rocky walls with crevices. It is shaped a lot like A. bussingi, but the similarity ends there. These fish are covered with pinpoint subdued red spots, have a red blush behind the gill cover, and a long horizontal dark line from the back of the operculum to the tail. The eye is totally or partially iridescent green. "Images of Red Spotted Cichlids," has nearly a dozen species photographed: Jeff Rapps' pictures are the most reliable.

In captivity this an 8 inch, big messy eater, very easily omnivorous accepting worms, fish, pellets and vegetables, except for red meat which should be avoided. It will eat small fish. Males get very aggressive and territorial as breeding size adults, larger and thicker than females and with longer fins and brighter color. A pair can be kept in a 40 gallon tank or larger, but will probably not breed in a tank under 70 gallons. Breeding pairs will attempt to kill tank mates. They need lots of rocks and rock hides. They like pH 6.5 to 7.5 and 78-82 degrees. If kept in tanks of 200 gallons or more they are less territorial and will coexist with other good sized Central American cichlids, catfish, Yellow Fin and Tinfoil Barbs.l