[robertprice]

The Red Ceibal is a cool water cichlid found from Arroyo Ceibal in Uruguay to the southern Brazilian border. Uruguayan cichlid ranges still need to be updated. They can tolerate water and low as the mid 50's in winter and as high as mid 80's in summer, making them one of ther few good cichlid pond fish. In the aquarium, they should be kept at 67-77 degrees. They get 6 inches long (males) and 4 inches (females), with an occasional one hitting 7 inches. They are midly aggressive if tank raised, more so if wild caught. Juveniles up tio 2 inches are very peaceful. They are substrate breeders. Ceibals are good community fish and can keep up with the big boys.

Red Ceibals have a base color of yellow to gold yellow, with 6-7 prominent black vertical body bars and a black caudal penduncle spot. Usually 3 of the bars extend on to the dorsal fin. Above the operculum and eye, there are 2 irregular black saddles. The eye is bright red, as are the back parts of the dorsal and **** fins and tail. The males are more brightly colored than the females. Addition of cool water in a water change can bring out their bolder breeding colors. They like pH 6-7, soft water, and are very temperature tolerant. They are food beggars and rush to top as soon as they see someone. They eat all types of cichlid foods as long as pellet size is not very large. They eat a lot, and may push other fish away from their feeding spots.

There are curently 19 poorly described members of the genus Australoheros, and this species is referred to as A. sp. Red Ceibal, or Local.