Andinoacara latifrons (Steindachner, 1878)

Common Name

• None

Synonym(s)

• Andinoacara latifrons, Musilová et al, 2009:7, new combination
• Aequidens latifrons, Eigenmann, 1910:472, new combination
• Acara pulchra, Regan, 1905:335, senior synonym (Treated as Acara coeruleopunctata var. latifrons)
• Acara pulchra var. latifrons, Pellegrin, 1904:141, new combination
• Astronotus (Acara) coeruleopunctata latifrons, Eigenmann et al, 1891:68, new combination
• Acara coeruleopunctata var. brevirostris, Steindachner, 1880:56, unavailable name
• Acara coeruleopunctata var. latifrons, Steindachner, 1879:27, new rank
• Acara latifrons, Steindachner, 1878:89, original combination

Type Locality

Cienaga, Río Magdalena, Colombia.

Andinoacara latifrons is quite widespread through the northern point of Colombia, fish often seen in the trade as Andinoacara pulcher are more often A. latifrons instead.

Etymology

latifrons = wide forehead (Latin)

Size

Average adult size: 5-7"/13-17cm

Feeding

As an omnivorous fish they are generally easy to feed. It is suggested to feed a good quality cichlid stick as staple, and supplement this with regular feeds of live and frozen foods such as earthworms, prawns, mussels, and other such foods.

Vegetable matter, including peas, spinach should also form a good proportion of the diet. High protein foods such as beefheart and other red meats are not advisable.

We feed our fish with Vitalis cichlid pellets, and live foods, including bloodworm, and meal worm.

Compatibility

Unless you are keeping this fish in a large tank (4 feet or more) then it is best they are kept as single fish, or as a mate pair. The older the fish the more aggressive and territorial they become, and will consume any fish small enough to fit in their mouths.

Unlike some of the related fish in the rivulatus complex, the pulcher complex is relatively docile and is more compatible with other fish and smaller aquarium setups.

Good tank mates for these fish are other medium cichlids, large characins, such as bleeding heart tetras, and catfish such as corydoras and ancistrus.

These fish are not suitable for a standard community tank.