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–The
Arowanaˇ¦s classification and disbution
1.
The Natural Habitat of the America Cichlid
The American Cichlid is native to North America, Mexico, and crossing
the Panama Canal down to the Amazon River in South America. According
to the America hydrology database, the Cichlidˇ¦s natural habitat
has a water pH of about 5.5~6.5 and water temperature in the range
of 20~30˘J, with water flow that is not too strong and a water environment
that includes driftwood and plants. The American Cichlid has beautiful
body coloring, and their behavior tends to be territorial. When
choosing different species to stock an aquarium, this is an important
feature to keep in mind to prevent fighting.
2. Common American Cichlid
The American Cichlid is the similar to the African Cichlid. They
all belong to the Perciformes, Percoidei, Cichlidae categories and
are classed among Aequidens, Apistogramma, Astrontus, Biotodoma,
Hypselescara, Cichlasoma, Crenicara, Geophagus, Satanoperca, Gymnogeophagus,
Pterophyllum, Symphysodon etc. They are commonly kept in aquariums
as ornamental fish. We classify American Cichlids according to their
size, into groups such as: Dwarf Cichlid, Discus, Synspilum...etc.
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Dwarf Cichlid
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Dwarf
Cichlids are so called because of their small size. However
due to their different geographical distribution the Dwarf
Cichlids from South America are smaller than those from West
Africa. The wild South America Dwarf Cichlid is found in the
Amazon River. The largest category is Apistogramma, such as
Apistogramma agassizii, Apistogramma Spec. Breitbinden, Apistogramma
Elizabethae...etc. Young fish are rather plain, but body coloration
becomes more attractive as the fish matures. The Dwarf cichlid
is similar to other American Cichlids, living in water temperatures
of around 23~28˘J, and the water pH is between 5.5~6.6. They
prefer insects and arthropods for food. |
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Discus
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The
Discus is a special fish species from South America. The name
of this species comes from the shape of their body, which
is like a discus, or round plate. Originally the Discus species
from South America was classified into the Brown series, Blue
series, Symphysodon aeguifasciatus and Symphysodon discus,
but now most species selling on the market have been enhanced,
such as the Blood Diamond Turquoise, Bright Blue Turquoise,Stripe
Turquoise...etc. The wild discus prefers to live in areas
where the water flow is gentle, the water temperature is between
23~28˘J, and the water pH is between 5.5~6.6, such as the
Amazon River and the Nigra River. Wild discus likes their
environment to include plants or driftwood, and the ply the
water surface at night to catch insects and mosquitoes for
food. |
**
Other Mid to Large Size Cichlids
Mid
to large sized Cichlids are among the most popular in aquarium
shops. They were originally exported from Central and South
America and later on breeders reproduced them in large quantities
to meet market demand. They since become less sensitive to
water quality, easy to breed, and their beautiful appearance
makes them very popular with hobbyists. On the market, you
often see mid to large sized American Cichlids such as Cichlasoma
severum, Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum, Geophagus murupari, Astronotus
ocellatus, Uaru amphiacanthoides...etc. They are all quite
territorial in nature, and like to dig at gravel and plants.
Keep these features in mind when you breed them with other
species of fish and aquatic plants. |
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**
Blood Parrot
The
Blood Parrot is a new species that was bred in Taiwan by chance.
Each type of Blood Parrot was successfully perfected by many
experiments and has been improved over time with an enhanced
color and shape. The Blood Parrot is a hybrid of the colorful
Cichlasoma citrinellum and Cichlasoma synspilum, combining
features of both, especially the coloration from Cichlasoma
citrinellum. |
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Based
on its shape and color, we can classify Blood Parrots into
A++, A, B and four other levels. There are not many A++ level
fish. Features are a bulging forehead, no open fish cheek,
an open triangle mouth shape and fewer and smoother scales.
The other levels of Blood Parrot have the same features but
are not as complete as the A++ level.
While the Blood Parrot was enhanced by breeders, its environment
conditions are much the same as Cichlasoma citrinellum and
Cichlasoma synspilum. They prefer water temperatures of around
25~30˘J, with a water pH value between 5.5~6.5. |
**
Flower Horn
The
Flower Horn and Blood Parrot are both cultured breeding fish. A
successful new species should follow previous testing to create
higher possibilities for breeding success. The South America Cichlid-Cichlasoma
category has become a top choice for breeders and hobbyists are
optimistic for the new opportunities presented. Continuous breeding
has created many series of Flower Horn. We can tell which Cichlasoma
gene they come from by their appearance. The tiger brindle from
Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum usually appears in the Flower Horn, and
the Cichlasoma synapilum's red color and head shape indicates they
are descended from the Flower Horn. The Pearl series has a pearl
brindle from Cichlasoma acrpinte.
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