Cichlasoma amazonarum
 

This 5 inch drab oval cichlid is one of the most widely distributed in South America, found all over the Amazon drainage except Bolivia. It has no English common name, but is called Burjurqui in Spanish and Acara in Portuguese. It is a grey - brown fish with an indistinct midbody line from operculum to caudal peduncle which is often composed of fused splotches, the fifth, under the dorsal fin, being very prominent. There is usually another blotch at the top of the caudal peduncle. The pectoral fins are wine or copper colored. The individual scales have dark edging, and at least one row usually extends onto the dorsal and **** fins. They are not aggressive except when breeding, which they do several times a year. They are plant tolerant omnivores. They prefer moderatley flowing waterof 73-79 degrees and pH of 6.5 to 7. They are most common in coastal swamps and flood plains.

They make a good, if not spectacular community fish. They lay 100-300 eggs on a clean bottom rock, and move the fry to a breeding pit. They are good parents. Males have longer fin streamers than females. They need a 30 gallon tank minimum. See "Images of Cichlasoma amazonarum" for pictures.