Andinoacara cf. pulcher sp. “Venezuela”
Scientifically undescribed species.
There has been no formal scientific investigation into this species, and it has therefore not, formally, been awarded a taxon. This will remain so until an offical description of the species is published.
Common Name
- None
Collection Locality
North-eastern Venezuela, near El Ricón and Los Arroyos
Etymology
The name given to this species is derived from the area in which is was collected.
Size
unknown, but thought to be similar to Andinoacara pulcher
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.
Notes
This cichlid is darker than the Andinoacara pulcher from Trinidad, but husbandry of the fish is the same. They also dont have the brighter orange dorsal seam.
