SOUTH AMERICAN CICHLIDS.
Order Perciformes
Family Cichlidae
Subfamily Cichlasomatinae
Genus Caquetaia.
— Caquetaia kraussii [Steindachner, 1878]. Synonyms: Cichlasoma, Petenia kraussii, kraussi. Colombia, Atrato, Cauca, Magdalena river basins and Lake Maracaibo. 26 cm. Body is colored in iridescent golden and brownish tones, each scale with a black border. Behind the head, it has a large black shoulder spot, which also extends to the gill covers, and a spot on the caudal peduncle. During spawning, vague vertical bars appear. Males are larger than females.
Predator. Very aggressive, especially during the spawning period. Keep in pairs only with large fishes. Shelters made of driftwood and stones are mandatory. Tolerate a wide range of water chemistry parameters. Feeding on animal food and small fishes, readily accept freeze-dried krill, earthworms, bloodworms, and frozen foods. Both parents care for the fry. pH 8.0; T 26-31°C.
— Caquetaia myersi [Schultz, 1944]. Synonyms: Caquetaia, Cichlasoma amploris, Petenia myersi. (Eng. Myer’s Basketmouth Cichlid). Colombia, Putumayo and Napo river basins. 15 cm. The coloration of the male and female is practically identical. The main color is an attractive golden with a metallic sheen and distinct black vertical stripes — one in the middle of the body, and the second closer to the caudal peduncle. There is also an oblique black stripe across the eye. The female has a red-brown coloration on her back just below the dorsal fin. During spawning, the female acquires a more intense yellow color.
Predators, will swallow any fish that fits in their mouth. Very aggressive; arrange driftwood and stones in the aquarium so as to demarcate the boundaries of territories guarded by males. Flat stones are used for spawning. Weekly water changes are mandatory. Ignore food that reaches the bottom of the aquarium, so floating and slow-sinking food must be used. Juveniles grow quickly. dH 0-12°; pH 6.5-7.5; T 22-30°C.
— Caquetaia spectabilis [Steindachner, 1875]. Synonyms: Cichlasoma spectavile; Acara, Petenia spectabilis. Brazil, Guyana, middle Amazon, Araguari, Rio Branco, Gurupá, Óbidos rivers. 17 cm, females are smaller. The lower part of the head and the underside up to the anal fin are orange, sides are speckled with bright iridescent blue sparkles. There are two closely spaced black spots in the middle, a third spot behind the eyes on the gill cover, and a fourth on the upper part of the caudal peduncle.
During spawning, 10 to 12 dark, indistinct vertical bars appear. Unpaired fins have blue interradial stripes. Paired fins are orange and fan-shaped. Males have longer pelvic fins, females are somewhat smaller. Before spawning, the fish’s color intensifies.
Very aggressive both to conspecifics and to fish of other species. A pair will not tolerate anyone else in the aquarium; fishes like Crenicichla can be added. A predator that ambushes fish from among vegetation. Smaller fishes up to half their own length will be eaten. Aquarium with a large number of shelters made of stones and driftwood, caves are a must, but also with sufficient swimming space.
Prefer soft, acidic water, peat filtration is acceptable. With water pollution and untimely water changes, holes in the head appear (Hexamitiasis). Sensitive to low temperatures. Fry begin to acquire the iridescent blue coloration of their parents at 3 months of age.
Identification: Caquetaia spectabilis.
— Caquetaia umbrifera [Meek & Hildebrand, 1913]. Synonyms: Cichlasoma umbriferum, umbriferus Cichlaurus umbrifer, Nandopsis, Herichthys umbriferum, Petenia umbrifera, umbriferum. (Eng. Blue Freckled Cichlid, Guapote, Green Freckled Cichlid, Green Freckled Monster, Turquiose Cichlid, Umbie). Colombia, Panama, Atrato, Magdalena, Tuira, Chucunaque river basins. In coloration, this species is similar to Cichlasoma octofasciatum, but they are significantly larger in size. Males up to 45 cm, females 30-35 cm.
Males are golden-brown with a metallic blue sheen, red on the head, with blue-green spots scattered all over the body, including the fins. Characteristic metallic-iridescent blue spots are present on the gills. A longitudinal black interrupted stripe runs from the eyes and ends with a black spot on the caudal peduncle. In mature specimens, on each body scale, gill covers, and fins, there are shiny turquoise specks set off by dark spaces. In the middle of each scale on the throat there is a blue spot, and on the nape a reddish-brown spot.
All fins are blue-green to turquoise with a reticulated pattern. A bright red border runs along the outer edge of the dorsal fin. In males, filamentously elongated dorsal and anal fins extend beyond the caudal fin. Males are larger and more brightly colored, have more blue on the body and gills, and longer unpaired fins. Females are greenish-gray with less blue tint on the body and fins. Juveniles are olive-gray with sparkles, a black horizontal stripe along the body with two black spots developed along its axis, the first located just past the middle of the body and the second at the base of the caudal peduncle.
A large, predatory, aggressive species; in a fight, it can easily kill the largest of cichlasomas. If a fish is temporarily removed from the community, returning it back is impossible; it will be pursued until killed. Young fish are somewhat shy, often staying within or near a cave, becoming bolder with age. Juveniles up to 12 cm can be kept in a community aquarium with other large cichlids. Even subadult fish show hostility toward each other. They grow incredibly fast, even for cichlids, and require large aquariums. Large shelters should be constructed from stones.
All decorations must be securely fastened; planting live plants makes no sense. Plants will be completely destroyed. Water purity is essential for the health of these fishes. Frequent, large water changes are necessary for large cichlids. Various floating pellets, freeze-dried krill, earthworms, live fish, and seafood are used for feeding. Sexual maturity is reached at 10-14 months of age. pH 7.0-8.0; T 25-28°C.
Cichlasoma amazonarum, atromaculatum, bimaculatum, boliviense.
Bujurquina mariae, Bujurquina syspilus, Bujurquina vittata. 
