Emerald Hawkfish - Pelvicachromis taeniatus "Nigeria Red" - single specimen

With his particularly pretty drawing the emerald splendid perch carries his name rightly! The West African Niger Delta (East Benin to Southwest Cameroon) originating pretty fellow is also called Pelviachromis taeniatus and belongs to the dwarf cichlids. The Nigeria Red Emerald Cichlid is an exceptionally great breeding form, which is a real eye-catcher in the aquarium. In addition, it is quite unproblematic in the care and already represented since 1911 in the trade.

You will receive the Emerald C ichlids in pairs.

Emerald perch grow to a length of about 9 cm, but the female remains conspicuously smaller. On the typical high-backed perch body they develop a gray ground color, which can shimmer emerald and iridescent depending on the incidence of light. Males exhibit a long and pointed dorsal fin that is yellow on the outer fringe, the caudal fin is rounded, transparent and also yellow fringed, although it may also have black spots. The face is colored red over the gill covers to the belly. The females form two black longitudinal stripes, the first of which runs along just below the rounded dorsal fin, the second from the forehead over the eye to fading over the entire body onto the likewise rounded caudal fin. Both lines are bordered by two more yellow stripes. The gill cover shimmers turquoise, their belly is colored blood red. Both sexes intensify their body coloration during the mating season. These beautifully marked animals can be distinguished mainly by their pelvic fins, the male's is elongated and ends in a point, the female's is rather shortened, but also by the conspicuous stripes on the female's face. Juveniles color out with age.

Emerald cichlids can be bred in the aquarium, but it is best done in a 54 liter rearing aquarium that has a sandy bottom and good weed growth. The female also needs a cave. Ideally the water should be slightly acidic. Females that are ready to mate lay their eggs in the cave after courtship and guard it. In addition, the male swims on patrol in the spawning area. Once the fry have fledged and left the cave, they are cared for and guarded by both parents. The young can be raised well with freshly hatched Artemia nauplii.

The aquarium for emerald cichlids should contain at least 80 liters, rather more, and should have both sufficient caves and hiding places, such as can be offered with roots and stone structures secured against falling over, which still leaves enough space for swimming. The planting plays rather a subordinate role. A sandy bottom is advantageous for these pretty fish. With a total hardness (GH) between 2 to maximum 15 °dGH and a temperature of 24-26 °C they can be maintained very well.

Pelviachromis taeniatus should better not be socialized with dwarf shrimps, also dwarf shrimps could nip the sensitive fins of the animals. With other peaceful fish, which have similar requirements, they can be well socialized.

These omnivores can be optimally fed with commercially available  dry food in the form of flake food or granulated food, but also food tablets for carnivorous ornamental fish. About an occasional treat in the form of live food or frozen food, such as Daphnia or Artemia they are very happy. Since they tend to become fat, worm-like foods such as enchytraea should be offered rather rarely.

Our food recommendation: The NatureHolic Cichfeed has a grain size of 1.5 mm and is therefore also suitable for larger fish. The NH Cichfeed is a soft granulate for predominantly carnivorous fish. It has the same consistency as small crustaceans and insect larvae that fish naturally eat, and the soft granules protect the fish mouth from micro-injuries that can result from hard feed granules.

Our plant recommendation: For planting, use NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend when keeping fish the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.