CENTRAL AMERICAN CICHLIDS.
Order Perciformes
Family Cichlidae
Subfamily ( Cichlasomatinae )
Genus Paraneetroplus.
— Paraneetroplus fenestratus [Gunther, 1860] — Pearlescent Cichlasoma. Synonyms: Cichlasoma fenestratum, gadovii, sexfasciatum, Theraps fenestratum, Paraneetroplus fenestratus, Vieja fenestrata. Mexico, Papaloapan River. 27 cm. Body high, dense. These are beautiful fish, although this can only be recognized in adult specimens with their fine dot pattern.
Head and chest crimson with pearlescent swirls. Body and fins white-silver-yellow with dense black speckling and large indistinct spots (stripes). The ends of the unpaired fins are crimson. Males are larger than females, with a steep forehead. In young fish, the sex is difficult to determine. A natural albino form exists.
All decorations must be securely fixed, as the fish will frequently rearrange the landscape to their liking. These fish behave very aggressively, especially if introduced into a cramped aquarium. As with all large cichlids, filtration must be very efficient. They spawn, as a rule, on a large stone, and sometimes inside a cave. During spawning, the male can be aggressive towards the female. dH 10-20°; pH 7.5; T 23-30°C.
— Paraneetroplus guttulatus [Gunther, 1864] — Spotted Vieja. Synonyms: Cichlasoma, Herichthys guttulatum; Рaratheraps, Heros guttulatus; Vieja guttulata. Guatemala. 25 cm. Body high, dense. Coloration silver-gray with small spots. Males are larger than females, with a steep forehead. Aggressive, especially during the spawning period. They dig the substrate heavily, so decorations in the aquarium should be installed firmly. Plants are best not used. dH 10-20°; pH 7; T 25-30°C.
— Paraneetroplus hartwegi [Taylor & Miller, 1980] — Hartweg’s Cichlid. Synonyms: Cichlasoma, Herichthys, Paratheraps, Vieja hartwegi. (Eng. Tailbar Cichlid). Southern Mexico and Guatemala. 25 cm. Body high, dense. Body and fin coloration yellow-gray with a pearlescent sheen and small crimson specks.
Along the body runs a wide black stripe with indistinct outlines, which may appear as a large horizontal spot in the center of the body. Typical for this species are a black horizontal line on the forehead and black, semi-circular stripes on the gill covers. Dorsal fin with a thin red edge along the upper margin.
During the spawning period, the fish’s coloration becomes black and white – black belly and cream-white upper body, red throat, irregular vertical stripes extending to the middle of the back. Males are larger than females, with a steep forehead. These fish behave very aggressively, especially if introduced into a cramped aquarium; it is better to keep them in pairs. If shelters are lacking, they may kill the weaker individual.
They are fed live, frozen, and vegetable foods. They eat soft-leaved plants. They reach sexual maturity at 9 months of age and at a length of about 10-14 cm. Spawning is in pairs on an open substrate, driftwood, or side glass. Pairs fiercely defend the spawning site. Parents care for the offspring. dH 10-25°; pH 7.0-8.0; T 24-28°C.
— Paraneetroplus maculicauda [Regan, 1905] — Black Belt Cichlid. Synonyms: Cichlasoma, Paratheraps, Theraps, Astatheros, Vieja maculicauda; Astronotus, Heros, Cichlasoma parma, Chuco globosum, manana, Cichlasoma globosum, manana, nigritum. (Eng. Black Belt Cichlid, Red Black Vieja). Central America, from southern Southern Mexico to the Panama Canal. 18-25 cm.
Due to its extensive distribution range in the wild, there are several color morphs. The torso is oval and slightly compressed laterally. The head is rounded, and the caudal fin resembles a fan. The anal and dorsal fins stick downwards and upwards respectively.
It has a beautiful and unique combination of red, black, and white colors. Most local variations have a species-specific external feature: a wide characteristic black “belt” – a vertical black stripe – runs across the middle of the body. Sometimes the belt line is very indistinct, in some cases it seems to break off, but sometimes it is a very distinct thick line running from the median rays of the dorsal fin down to the fish’s belly. A bright red zone begins above the mouth and ends behind the anal fin, encompassing a third of the lower body.
The main body coloration ranges from silvery-green to silvery-purple with iridescent bluish sparkles, especially noticeable in the upper body and on the dorsal fin. Depending on the color variation, some scales may be speckled. A black line surrounds the eye, which in some cases also captures the iris.
During the spawning period, the eye color of the fish changes from bluish to reddish-amber. There are bright red marks on the fish’s throat and often on the lips and lower abdomen. Similar marks are also present on the caudal fin. The gills and caudal fin are reddish or red (with a dark spot at the base of the tail).
On the blue-green dorsal and anal fins, there are black spots, and the final rays and tips of the fins are often reddish. In some cases, the color of the fins transitions smoothly from yellow or green to red tips. Males usually have a characteristic bump on the forehead. The female is smaller, paler colored, dark gray with a red caudal fin and black specks across the body. Both males and females have a red caudal fin. Juveniles are gray-brown with dark spots. During many years of breeding in captivity and in the absence of selection, the species loses much of its delightful coloration.
A group of fish can be kept in a very large community aquarium with other active and large cichlid species. During the breeding season, they become especially fierce as they defend their offspring from neighbors. The degree of aggressiveness depends on the individual characteristics of the cichlid. They can be so aggressive that you may have to leave only a single pair of fish. The aquarium should feature sandy substrate, driftwood, flat stones, stone structures forming large hiding places, and hardy plants with tough leaves, although they are unlikely to survive. Lighting is subdued.
There should be many places where the fish can hide and observe from their shelter. There should also be ample swimming areas. They love a sandy bottom and clean water with a neutral pH level, although they tolerate brackish environments well. They stay in the middle and lower water layers, forming pairs at a young age from a group of fish. For young specimens, an aquarium with a front length of 100 cm is quite sufficient, but as they grow, this home will feel too cramped.
Filtration, aeration, and weekly water changes are necessary. This fish is herbivorous and will likely eat any green and juicy plants you thoughtfully provide. Live and frozen foods can be given occasionally. Vegetables should be provided additionally – lettuce, spinach, zucchini, spirulina pellets. They love snails. Extremely voracious, so a fasting day should be observed once a week.
They mature in 14-18 months. Spawning is in pairs. Eggs are deposited on a substrate – a stone, flower pot, or an area of the bottom cleared of substrate. They are wonderful, caring parents, alternately ventilating the eggs and guarding the larvae. They live up to 8 years. dH 10-20°; pH 6.8-7.8; T 22-26°C.
Identification: Black Belt Cichlid — Paraneetroplus maculicauda.
Paraneetroplus melanurus, nebuliferus, regain, synspilus, zonatus.
Paraneetroplus argentea, Paraneetroplus bifasciatus, Paraneetroplus breidohri. 
