{"product_id":"fenestrata-cichlid-vieja-fenestrata","title":"Fenestrata Cichlid | Vieja fenestrata","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Fenestrata is a heavyweight Central American cichlid that colours into rich reds, greens and turquoise as it matures. Bold, territorial and full of presence, it is a true statement fish for a large aquarium — adults reach around 30-35cm, so this is a big-tank commitment, not a community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eVieja fenestrata is native to the Atlantic-slope river basins of Mexico, from the Papaloapán to the Chachalacas systems. It inhabits warm, flowing rivers with rocky and sandy beds, where it sifts substrate and grazes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA tall, deep-bodied cichlid. Mature fish develop a striking mix of green-gold flanks, red-orange flushing and dark markings, often with a nuchal hump on dominant males. The \"window\" markings give the species its name. A genuinely impressive adult fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAggressive and territorial, especially when breeding. Best kept singly, as a bonded pair, or with other robust large cichlids in a very spacious tank with clear territories. Not suitable for a peaceful community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePredominantly herbivorous in the wild. Feed a good-quality cichlid pellet with a strong vegetable and spirulina component, plus occasional meaty foods such as prawn. Avoid an over-rich, meaty-only diet, which this species does not handle well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNeeds a large tank with a sandy substrate for digging, robust rockwork, powerful filtration and regular large water changes — these are big, messy fish. Provide neutral to hard, warm water. An intermediate-level fish because of its size, waste output and temperament rather than any fussiness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn open, substrate-spawning cichlid that forms pairs and lays eggs on cleaned rock or a flat surface. Both parents guard the eggs and fry fiercely, and a spawning pair becomes extremely territorial.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVieja fenestrata\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFenestrata \/ Window Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral America (Atlantic slope of Mexico)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30-35cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10-15 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\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\u003e500 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\u003e23-27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.0-8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10-25 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\u003eExperienced keepers with large cichlid tanks\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 — digs and eats plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther large, robust Central American cichlids, big plecos and other sturdy tankmates in a spacious setup with defined territories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSmall or peaceful community fish, long-finned fish, and anything small enough to be seen as food or bullied.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize options reflect the sizes we stock; any shown as sold out will return as we restock. Australian livestock for in-store collection or local delivery, with our live arrival guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232811041059,"sku":"BA9159-S","price":40.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232811073827,"sku":"BA9159","price":50.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232811106595,"sku":"BA9159-L","price":60.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-30cm)","offer_id":55351967449379,"sku":"BA9159-XL","price":70.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/fenestrata-cichlid-vieja-fen-43887385674019.webp?v=1790306324","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/fenestrata-cichlid-vieja-fenestrata","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}