{"product_id":"rainbow-cichlid-herotilapia-multispinosa","title":"Rainbow Cichlid | Herotilapia multispinosa","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Rainbow Cichlid is a peaceful, golden charmer and one of the most community-friendly Central Americans you can keep. Small by cichlid standards at around 12cm (often less), it shifts from soft yellow to a striking dark display colour when breeding or excited. Hardy, characterful and a great first cichlid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHerotilapia multispinosa is native to Central America, from Nicaragua and Costa Rica to Honduras, where it lives in warm lakes, ponds and slow rivers, often over muddy bottoms rich in algae and detritus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA deep-bodied little cichlid, usually golden-yellow to olive with a broken dark lateral band that it can flush almost black when displaying. It has notably tricuspid (three-pointed) teeth, an adaptation for grazing algae. Most aquarium adults sit around 7–8cm, with a maximum near 12cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the gentlest cichlids in the hobby outside of breeding. It coexists happily with medium-sized, deep-bodied tetras, robust livebearers, barbs and catfish. When spawning, though, a pair becomes genuinely territorial and will defend their patch vigorously, so allow space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that grazes algae in the wild. Feed a good cichlid pellet or flake with plenty of vegetable content, plus occasional frozen foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp for variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a medium-large tank with a sand substrate, some caves or flat rocks, and neutral to hard water. It is undemanding and forgiving of a range of conditions, which adds to its appeal for newer cichlid keepers. Good filtration and regular water changes keep it in top form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn excellent beginner's cichlid to breed. Pairs form readily and become dedicated open-substrate parents, laying eggs on a cleaned rock and guarding both eggs and fry attentively — a wonderful display of cichlid parenting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerotilapia multispinosa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRainbow Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral America (Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Honduras)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 12cm (often 7–8cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 8 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive (territorial when breeding)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 litres or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–27°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\u003e9–20 dGH (neutral 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\u003eBeginners, community-minded cichlid keepers\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\u003eMostly — may dig, especially when breeding\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedium-sized, deep-bodied tetras, robust livebearers such as swordtails, larger barbs, suckermouth and doradid catfish, and other easygoing cichlids of similar size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLarge aggressive Central American cichlids that will bully it, very small fish that may be eaten, and timid tankmates during its breeding periods.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232809500963,"sku":"AA1506","price":26.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232809533731,"sku":null,"price":31.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Rainbow_Cichlid_37fa2cf6-2cc7-44d5-bd7b-fd53a3dc14f2.jpg?v=1781699451","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/rainbow-cichlid-herotilapia-multispinosa","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}