Publication2 med aquascape Publication1cs complete | Page 145

comment on breeding habits from references.
These fish normally defend a spawning area of
about 80cm in diameter. They are substrate
spawners which will dig until they find a rock or
other suitable surface. This is then meticulously
cleaned by both sexes which will display to each
other with fins erect and a quivering body which
will also darken with more intense colouration.
Eggs will be laid shortly thereafter and these are
assiduously guarded by both sexes which will at
this point become more aggressive towards tank
mates although they still tolerate them in the wid-
er area. Eggs hatch within 3 days and the fry are
free swimming approximately 5 days later. At this
point they do not glance-feed from their parents’
mucus as in other large Neotropical cichlids. Fry
can be fed on crushed pellet food or small insect
larvae and they begin the earth eating tendencies
at an early age.
impeccably especially when one considers it is
from Central America. Although not recommend-
ed for beginners I have found it extremely reward-
ing and interesting to keep these Central American
Earth Eaters.
I hope that this short piece has made you think
about tracking down this elusive fish. It is an im-
pressive, attractively coloured fish which does not
grow too large and in the main behaves
A young Astatheros nourissati
Photo© Wisse Sluijters
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