{"product_id":"fenestrata-cross-cichlid-vieja-fenestrata-x-sp","title":"Fenestrata Cross Cichlid | Vieja fenestrata x sp.","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a Vieja cross built around Vieja fenestrata, combining the bold colour and form of its parent stock into a large, characterful Central American cichlid. Territorial and full of presence, it is a statement fish for the big tank — expect an adult of around 30cm, so plan for space, not a community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe parent species of the Vieja group come from the warm Atlantic-slope rivers of Mexico and Central America, with rocky and sandy beds. As a hybrid, this fish has no wild range of its own, but its needs mirror those of its Central American parents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDeep-bodied and tall, showing a blend of the parents' colours — typically green-gold flanks with red-orange flushing and dark markings, intensifying with maturity and often with a nuchal hump on dominant males. Exact patterning varies from fish to fish, as is normal with crosses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAggressive and territorial, especially when breeding. Best kept singly, as a pair, or with other robust large cichlids in a spacious tank with clearly defined territories. Not a community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed a good-quality cichlid pellet with a strong vegetable and spirulina content, plus occasional meaty foods such as prawn. Like its Vieja parentage, it does best on a vegetable-leaning diet rather than a rich, meaty-only one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a large tank with sandy substrate for digging, robust rockwork, powerful filtration and regular large water changes — these are big, messy fish. Neutral to hard, warm water suits it. Intermediate difficulty owing to size, waste and temperament.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eVieja crosses are open substrate-spawners that pair off and lay eggs on cleaned rock or a flat surface, with both parents guarding the brood. Note that hybrid offspring are of unknown genetic makeup, so breeding is best avoided if pure lines matter to you.\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 x sp. (hybrid)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFenestrata Cross Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAquarium hybrid (Central American Vieja parentage)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e~30cm\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 sturdy tankmates in a spacious tank 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 eaten 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":55232814317859,"sku":null,"price":40.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232814350627,"sku":"BA9332","price":45.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232814383395,"sku":null,"price":50.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-30cm)","offer_id":55351968137507,"sku":null,"price":60.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/fenestrata-cross-cichlid-vieja-fenestrata-x-sp","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}