Publication2 med aquascape Publication1cs complete | Page 132

Generations of captive breeding mean that these
fish can tolerate most water types but just be-
cause these fish can survive in less than perfect
conditions, they shouldn’t be subjected to this in
the long term especially if breeding is the goal. I
would recommend going for water that is slightly
alkaline to neutral, hard and low in nitrates and
nitrites. V. maculicauda can also tolerate brackish
water well and in its natural environment some
strains are found in water that is markedly brack-
ish.
Feeding this species is very easily, probably be-
cause they have been bred in captivity for a long
time. They relish meaty food though I am not sure
how good this is for them in the long run as they
are primarily herbivorous. I use a high grade mix
of flake food (spirulina, earthworm and brine
shrimp) which they eagerly snap up. Alongside
this I have found they love cichlid pellets, mussel,
and snails which they crunch and swallow. They
will also very happily take peas, greens and cu-
cumber. I have noticed at feeding time that the
fish can become dominant amongst other fish
(although they struggle to out compete my Os-
cars!) and will definitely form a hierarchy amongst
each other with my largest male feeding before
the smaller fish in the group. They can also be-
come slightly territorial at feeding time keeping
The Vieja maculicauda display tank is better nat-
urally decorated with large river rocks and pieces
of wood and beech tree branches
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