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The female in the foreground displays
more overall black markings on the body
The common name of Black Belt comes from the
fact that this fish has a central ‘belt’ of black
across its flank although I have often wondered if
the perceived (more on this later) behaviour of
this fish has also earned its common name. The
type locality stated by Regan is Lago Izabal in Gua-
temala although the distribution of this cichlid co-
vers much of the Eastern Versant of Central Amer-
ica; time will tell if this is all one species or a group
of closely related species’. In light of this is col-
lecting local is known it is worth keeping separate
races apart in case they do one day become dis-
tinct species.
The Black Belt cichlid is an astoundingly beautiful
fish. Apart from its central black belt and tail spot
it has silver white flanks, fins spotted with black
over rainbow colours and a liberal dusting of red
on the chin and tail. To see in adult in all its glory
must be one of the best sights in the cichlid hob-
by. The beauty is accentuated by the sheer size
this fish can grow to with 12-14 inches not being
uncommon in older males. Obviously size is a fac-
tor in housing these fish and to do them justice
big tanks are required. For a single bonded pair of
fish or an adult male as a pet fish the minimum
tank size should be 6 x 2 feet x 2 feet with larger
being better. As part of a group of Central Ameri-
can cichlids I would recommend as minimum a
tank of 7 feet x 2.5 feet x 2 feet. I have found that
by offering large accommodation their behaviour
can be tamed and they no longer exhibit the
thuggery of which they are so often accused. I
think larger Central American cichlids have an un-
just reputation for thuggery which can be beaten
if they are given enough room, plenty of aquas-
cacping and sensible tank mates. I keep my Black
Belts in a 9 foot aquarium where their behaviour
is exemplary, they share this tank with a number
of adult cichlids and apart from the odd skirmish I
have spotted no serious bullying, fighting or
scrapping. This even includes breeding pairs
which guard their young for upwards of 4 weeks
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