Cichlid Profiles - Apmphilophus (Astatheros) bussingi
 

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.