{"product_id":"silver-cichlid-vieja-argentea","title":"Silver Cichlid | Vieja argentea","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Silver Cichlid is a big, pearly-white New World cichlid that develops real presence with age — a tall, deep-bodied fish that glows silver-cream with dark barring and blazing red eyes. Be honest about its needs: it grows to around 25–30 cm and is a genuinely aggressive, territorial fish that demands a large tank and careful stocking.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eVieja argentea (now often placed in the genus Maskaheros) comes from the Atlantic-slope rivers of southern Mexico, particularly the Grijalva–Usumacinta system, where it inhabits warm, slow to moderate rivers and lakes over rock and sand, in neutral to hard, mineral-rich water.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA tall, powerful, laterally-compressed body is a soft pearly silver to cream, broken by a series of dark vertical bars and a dark midline blotch that intensify with mood. Mature fish flush with subtle blush tones on the face and develop striking red eyes and, in males, a nuchal hump. It is understated but imposing at full size.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAggressive and strongly territorial, especially as it matures and when breeding. It should be kept only with robust, similarly-sized New World cichlids and tough tank mates in a large tank with clear territories, or as a bonded pair. It will bully or kill smaller and more peaceful fish, so plan the stocking carefully around its temperament.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn omnivore leaning towards vegetable matter. Offer a quality cichlid pellet as a staple, with plenty of plant-based and spirulina foods plus occasional frozen or meaty foods. A diet too rich in protein can cause digestive problems, so keep greens well represented.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 300 L, with 400 L or larger strongly preferred for an adult or a pair. Keep temperature at 24–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.0 and moderately hard to hard water. Use robust filtration, rockwork and hardy or artificial décor — this is an enthusiastic digger that rearranges the tank and uproots plants, so it is not plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA substrate-spawning, biparental cichlid. A compatible pair clears and defends a flat surface, lays a large clutch of eggs and guards the eggs and fry devotedly, becoming extremely aggressive towards anything that approaches. Given space and stable warm water, pairs breed readily, but tank mates must be managed carefully during this time.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaskaheros argenteus (formerly Vieja argentea)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSilver Cichlid, White Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouthern Mexico (Grijalva–Usumacinta basin)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 25–30 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\u003eAggressive, 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\u003e300 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e400 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (vegetable-leaning): cichlid pellets, spirulina and plant foods, occasional 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 9–20 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 New World 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 uproots plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other robust, similarly-sized Central and South American cichlids, large plecos and other tough catfish, in a spacious tank with defined territories.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with small, peaceful or slow-moving fish, delicate community species, and shrimp — all of which will be bullied or eaten. Take care mixing it with other aggressive cichlids without enough space.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232811827491,"sku":null,"price":115.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232811860259,"sku":"BA8409","price":135.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232811893027,"sku":null,"price":155.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-35cm)","offer_id":55351967645987,"sku":null,"price":180.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/silver-cichlid-vieja-argentea","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}