{"product_id":"vieja-cichlid-hybrids-vieja-spp-hybrid","title":"Vieja Cichlid Hybrids | Vieja spp. (hybrid)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHand-picked Vieja hybrids bred for colour and form - big, bold Central American cichlids with shifting reds, blues and golds across a deep, powerful body. A characterful giant for the dedicated keeper, reaching 30cm or more with a temperament to match.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Vieja genus is native to river systems of Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. These hybrid strains are developed in the aquarium trade from several Vieja species crossed for colour and pattern, so they don't correspond to a single wild population.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA deep-bodied, powerful cichlid with a blunt head and thick lips. Hybrid colouration varies widely between individuals - expect mottled patterns in red, gold, blue and black, often intensifying with age and maturity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAggressive and strongly territorial, especially once mature or paired up. Vieja are notorious for fighting their own kind, and a large, dedicated tank is essential - this is not a fish for a general community setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore with a hearty appetite. Offer quality cichlid pellets as a staple, supplemented with vegetable matter and occasional meaty foods like prawn or earthworm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA big fish needs a big tank - 400 litres minimum, with 500 litres or more strongly recommended for an adult. Use sand or fine gravel with sturdy driftwood, rocks and caves, and invest in strong filtration to handle the substantial waste load these fish produce.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eForms monogamous pairs that guard eggs and fry fiercely on flat rocks or in dug-out pits. Breeding pairs can become extremely aggressive towards anything nearby, including the tank glass and their keeper.\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\u003eVieja spp. (hybrid)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVieja Cichlid Hybrid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral America (hybrid strain developed in the aquarium trade)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 30-35cm\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 to Advanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e400 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e500 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore - cichlid pellets, vegetable matter, occasional meaty foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24-28°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\u003e8-20 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\u003eLarge aggressive Central American cichlid setups only\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 - will uproot and eat most live plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther large, robust Central American cichlids such as Oscars, Jack Dempseys or Green Terrors in a suitably sized tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall, timid, or slow-moving fish, other Vieja unless carefully paired, and live plants.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232813924643,"sku":null,"price":40.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232813957411,"sku":"BA9351","price":50.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232813990179,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-30cm)","offer_id":55351968071971,"sku":null,"price":70.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/vieja-cichlid-hybrids-vieja-spp-hybrid","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}