Publication2 med aquascape Publication1cs complete | Page 55

When it comes to feeding Paratheraps / Vieja ,
they’re usually regarded as either detritovores or
herbivores in the nature, but many will accept
commercial or prepared foods. Stay clear of higher
protein mammalian foods, instead opting for shell
fish or white worm, but only feeding as a regular
treat. The main diet should be a staple dried sink-
ing/ floating pellets and occasionally fresh vegeta-
bles like lettuce or spinach. If fresh vegetables
aren’t suitable, then supplement with a spirulina
based flake or pellet food.
the challenge is to find a bonded compatible pair.
There are two ways doing this, either by obtaining
a proven pair or by raising a group of juvenile fish.
The latter is perhaps the easiest and most reward-
ing process as you the aquarist buys a small group
of juveniles hoping to get a pairing from the
group. Raising a small group will usually develop a
bonded pair well before they reach full size, many
members of the Paratheraps / Vieja group can
spawn very early in their development. Spawning
these fish is a responsibility that shouldn’t be tak-
en lightly. Many aquarium stocks are either mixed
species or very poor aquarium strains. If possible
obtain good pure stock and please don’t hybridise
with different species or even different popula-
tions. As you can see from the many photo includ-
ed in the article, good quality stock, properly
cared for look amazing, it baffles me why
hobbyists want mix them!
Spawning
From what I know Paratheraps and Vieja are open
substrate spawners and will choose, clean and pre-
pare a flat or angled rock, even the bare bottom of
the glass tank. They are also known to spawn in-
side cave structures such as upturned flower pots.
Once a pair has bonded the spawning and rearing
process in usually a natural progression, however,
19