Cutteri Cichlid

Family:

Sub Family:

Distribution: Guatemala, Honduras and Belize Although it is thought that Belize is home to the closely related Archocentrus spilurum. It is possible these are colour morphs of the same species.

Tank Set up: A single specimen will get on well in a peaceful to low agression SA/CA community, as would a pair, although for breeding they require they're own tank. I have kept them with A. sajica, T. meeki and (juvenile) A. rivalatus with success, as well as various SA cichlids. Clean water, with plenty of (fake) plants, rocks and wood.

Temperature: 75- 80 deg F

pH: 7.2 - 7.6

Maximum Size: 5"

Feeding:a good quality cichlid staple, supplemented with frozen foods, vegetables. they seem to eat anything.

Sexual Dimorphism: The male is slightly deeper bodied than the female and more colourful in general. He has the pointed fin extensions characteristic of most cichlids and the fins are more wine coloured, whereas the female has grey fins.

Breeding: Very easy to breed, take a male and a female and put in a tank! When they are getting ready to spawn, the colours of these fish change to dramatic white with black stripes. Their eyes turn black and the female's throat turns dark. The pair will flirt with each other, and find a suitable site to spawn. Spawning sites with my pair included underside of silk plants and under side of slates. They are very protective parents and had no trouble keeping their spawn safe from the other community cichlids. Fry are free swimming within a few days, and both parents remain protective. It is best to remove the male after a few more days however, as he may want to spawn again and the female may get stressed as a result. I didn't attempt to raise any of the fry so I have no further comments here. I kept three females and one male within a cichlid community. The pair formed within days and the male did not so much as batter an eyelid at the other females.

Notes: Whilst not the most stunning of the little stripy CA cichlids, I do find them quite attractive with their blue eyes. Consider them a nice alternative to convicts.

Female in normal colours:


Female in breeding colours:


Pair protecting their eggs (male has returned to normal colour after spawning)


Pair with fry:

Great write up and pics

What beautiful little cichlids. I've never come across them before, but after reading this they'll be definitely something to look out for

Those are a lovely looking species O-o