Cichlidae

Cichlasoma octofasciatum

Central Amazon Basin, Rio Negro

up to 7 inches (18 cm)

72-75 F (22-24 C)

7-8.5

medium

live and a little dried

aggressive; best kept in a species tank

A regular cichlid shape. Their basic color is a gray-brown to red-brown. They have 7 or 8 clear vertical bars that disappear in old age. They have a black lateral stripe that starts at the gill cover and ends at about the middle of the body.

They are open spawners. The female is paler than the male and the male turns a deep blue at spawning time. The males anal and dorsal fins come to a point while the females are rounded. They form strongly united pairs.

It can be intolerant of its own kind and hiding places would be appreciated