{"product_id":"redhead-cichlid-vieja-melanura","title":"Redhead Cichlid | Vieja melanura","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Redhead Cichlid, long known in the hobby as the \"Synspilum\", matures into a striking, red-headed giant with enormous presence. Growing to around 35 cm, it is a bold, characterful centrepiece for the dedicated big-cichlid keeper — territorial and strong-willed, but genuinely one of the more personable Central American cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eVieja melanura is native to the rivers, lakes and lagoons of southern Mexico, Guatemala and Belize in Central America, where it lives over rock and sand in warm, moderately hard water. It forages over the bottom and among cover, feeding heavily on plant matter, detritus and small invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA massive, deep-bodied cichlid. Mature fish develop a brilliant red to orange head and throat over a pearly, blue-flecked body marked with dark blotches, and older males grow a pronounced nuchal hump. Colour intensifies dramatically with age, good food and clean water.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBold, territorial and semi-aggressive, especially as it matures and when breeding. It is best kept as a single fish, a bonded pair, or with other large, robust Central American cichlids in a very spacious tank. It is far too large and pushy for a general community aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that leans heavily herbivorous. Feed a quality cichlid pellet with a good vegetable content as the staple, and supplement with vegetable matter such as blanched greens and spirulina, plus occasional frozen meaty foods. Avoid an overly protein-rich diet, which this species does not handle well.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 450 L for a single fish, with 600 L or more strongly preferred for adults or a pair. Keep temperature at 24–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.0 and GH moderately hard to hard, around 8–20. Powerful filtration, large regular water changes and a robust layout of rock and wood over sand suit it best. It digs and grazes, so it is not plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn open, substrate-spawning cichlid that forms strong pairs and guards its eggs and fry devotedly. A compatible pair cleans a flat surface and both parents defend the brood, becoming highly territorial and dangerous to tank mates while breeding. Provide plenty of space to manage pair aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVieja melanura\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRedhead Cichlid, Synspilum, Quetzal Cichlid (formerly Vieja synspila)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral America (southern Mexico, Guatemala and Belize)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 35 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive and territorial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e600 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (largely herbivorous): vegetable-rich pellets and greens, some meaty foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.0–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerately hard to hard, around 8–20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge, robust Central American cichlid aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo — digs and grazes on plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBest kept alone, as a pair, or with other large, robust Central American cichlids such as Vieja, Amphilophus and Parachromis species, plus big armoured catfish like Pterygoplichthys, all in a very spacious tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with small or peaceful community fish, long-finned or slow fish, and anything small enough to be bullied or eaten. Not suitable for a general community aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232814711075,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232814743843,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232814776611,"sku":null,"price":70.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-35cm)","offer_id":55351968170275,"sku":null,"price":80.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Redhead_Cichlid_20cm_e4750cf5-09e7-414b-85d3-a41feaf9f54e.jpg?v=1781699468","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/redhead-cichlid-vieja-melanura","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}