Publication2 med aquascape Publication1cs complete | Page 131

Editors Note
A young Vieja maculicauda Male, clearly show-
ing the characteristic black caudal spot and belt
A recent study that included all species assigned to
both Paratheraps/ Vieja complex was published in
September 2010 called: Molecular systematics of
the enigmatic Middle American genus Vieja
(Teleostei: Cichlidae) The study concludes hat all
species should be re-assigned to the Paraneet-
roplus complex? However, the paper is open to
debate.
in as natural a habitat as I can give them within the
confines of a glass box!
As for aquascaping, it is quite simple to keep the
Black Belts happy. They appreciate bogwood and
rocks arranged to give hiding places and they also
appreciate plants, although these normally get eat-
en within a couple of days. One way round this is
plastic plants, if you can overcome their rather
tacky look. Silk plants can be used although I have
found my fish take great pleasure in pulling them
apart; I suppose this at least gives them some kind
of mental stimulation. Water within their home
should be free of organic wastes and if possible on
the alkaline side.
Close up of the beautiful red adorning the
unpaired fins
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