{"product_id":"coatza-cichlid-vieja-sp-coatzacoalcos","title":"Coatza Cichlid | Vieja sp. 'Coatzacoalcos'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Coatza is a robust Vieja locality form with shifting blues and reds that intensify with maturity. A large, territorial Central American reaching 30 cm or more, it has real presence and attitude — a characterful centrepiece for a big, well-planned tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a locality form from the Río Coatzacoalcos basin on the Atlantic slope of southern Mexico. Vieja inhabit warm, often hard rivers and lakes with rocky and vegetated margins, grazing algae, biofilm and plant matter and feeding on fallen fruit and small invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA tall, deep-bodied cichlid that transforms with age — a plain silvery juvenile develops shifting blues, greens and reds, often with a coloured throat and dark blotching that flares with mood. Dominant, breeding and mature fish are the most spectacular, and many develop a nuchal hump.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAggressive and strongly territorial, especially as it matures and when breeding. It needs space and only equally robust companions, and is often best kept singly or as a bonded pair. This is a fish for keepers ready to manage a large, feisty cichlid.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA herbivore-leaning omnivore. Base the diet on spirulina and vegetable-based cichlid pellets with fresh greens, adding occasional protein such as prawn or mysis. Avoid an overly rich, meaty diet, which can cause bloat in Vieja.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA large, messy, powerful fish. Provide a spacious tank of at least 450 litres (more for pairs or communities) with heavy-duty filtration, robust rockwork and hardscape secured against digging, and regular large water changes to keep the water clean and stable.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA biparental substrate spawner. Pairs excavate and clean a site, then both guard eggs and fry fiercely — aggression peaks at this time, so a divided or dedicated tank is often needed. Fry take crushed flake and baby brine shrimp once free-swimming.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVieja sp. 'Coatzacoalcos'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCoatza Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral America (Río Coatzacoalcos, Mexico)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–15 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAggressive, territorial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate to Advanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e600+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore-leaning omnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25–30 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–20 dGH (medium to hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge Central American cichlid aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo (herbivorous and a digger; will eat and uproot plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther large, robust Central American cichlids of similar temperament, and big armoured catfish such as plecos, in a tank with room to establish territories.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSmall or peaceful community fish, delicate soft-water species, and anything that cannot defend itself against a large, aggressive cichlid.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232807829795,"sku":null,"price":16.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232807862563,"sku":"AA1609","price":21.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232807895331,"sku":null,"price":26.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-30cm)","offer_id":55351966105891,"sku":null,"price":31.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Coatza_Cichlid_2eb3c166-280f-4d09-97a8-d6b171acada0.jpg?v=1781699409","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/coatza-cichlid-vieja-sp-coatzacoalcos","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}