[robertprice]

Amphilophus rhytisma, sometimes called the Pearl Cichlid is a 6-7 fish endemic to the 1100 square mile Sixaola River Basin on the Atlantic side of Costa Rica. 80% of its range is protected. It is torpedo shaped and has an attractive light brown color covered with iridescent large white pearls, a red gill cover, and at least one large midbody blotch ( some have as many as 2 small rows of blortches). It has a gray-gold head and fins (some specimens have brown-black tails). This is another species Rican has allocated to Astatheros.

They are active bottom swimmers, and are carnivores who eat a lot of insects. They are substrate spawners who mature in a year and can lay up to 600 eggs. They are good parents, but only mildly aggressive. They like temperatures of 77-80 degrees, and pH 6.5-7.5. They can be kept in 55 to 70 gallon tanks. For photos see "Images of Amphilophus rhytisma."