Velvet Cichlid

Distinctiveness of Velvet Cichlid is grand. Its scientific name is Astronotus ocellatus. Its common names other than Velvet Cichlid are Oscar, Tiger Oscar, Peacock Cichlid, Walnut Cichlid and Marble Cichlid. If you want to have this fish as your pet and this description has fascinated you all the more to know about Velvet Cichlid, beneficiate yourself from the following account.

Geographical Distribution

Velvet Cichlid is found in South America, widely distributed from the Orinoco River Basin to the Rio Paraguay.

Diet

Velvet Cichlid likes to eat live food. It relishes large insects, earthworms, chopped meat, large crustaceans, earthworms, spinach, pellets etc. It eats greedily and with mess.

Breeding

A large tank helps breeding in case of Velvet Cichlid. It should hold 568 liters or 150 gallons of water. Temperature should be 26 degree C to 30 degree C or 79 degree F to 86 degree F. When a pair is formed; it may keep spawning regularly and may stay together for more than ten years. On previously cleaned rocks about 2000 opaque and white eggs are laid. It seems the eggs have fungus on them which clears off after a day, if this doesn’t happen; there are chances of eggs having fungus. In caring for brood, both the parents participate. After three-four days, eggs hatch and larvae are moved to shallow pits. The young start swimming freely after six to seven days. At times, young ones affix themselves to the flanks of parents. Feed them with roftiers, Cyclops nauplii and Artemia nauplii.

Physical Description

The body of Velvet Cichlid is oval shaped and is compressed moderately. It has a rounded caudal fin and it is often seen that its dorsal and anal fins are pointed. It is available in many different variations of colors, though there is a fairly uniform common form. Young ones are gray to black in color with a pink marbled-ring pattern on their body. The adult ones have an olive color back and its lower parts are orange and black. Near the caudal peduncle an obvious tail-spot can be seen.

Tank Set Up

A 30 inch or 76 cm tank is sufficient for Velvet Cichlid. It should hold 75-98 liters or 20-25 gallons of water. This is enough for individuals that are under 5 inches or 13 cms size. An adult Velvet Cichlid needs a tank which measures minimum 72 inches or 183 cms and holds 378 liters or 100 gallons of water. There should be deep substrate in the tank and some large rocks. Make arrangement of heaters so that they will not be detached from the tank glass. There must be powerful filtration in the tank. Temperature required is 22 degree C to 26 degree C or 72 degree F to 79 degree F, pH should be 6-8 and hardness of water should be 4-20 dH.

Social Behavior

Velvet Cichlid is a peaceful fish though its size is large. Recommended companions to be kept with this fish are characins like Silver Dollars, Leporinus, Anostomus; cichlids like Severum, some Cichlasomines; Catfish like Loricarids, Pimelodids, Doradids; Knifefish; Arawana.

Velvet Cichlid grows to the size of 14 inches or 35 cms. On an average, its life span is of about 10-12 years but with proper care and diet; they can live up to 15 years. Velvet Cichlid demonstrates unusual intelligence. You can teach it to roll over for food and can even teach it to enjoy being petted. Sometimes it acts flattering and sensitive or spoiled, moody and demanding just like part of the family. Though not generally described as beautiful it is quite amiable and conscientious.