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Common Name: Flyer Cichlid
Profile Credit: Jason_S
Photo Credit: Jason_S and AquaMojo
Size: ~5" for females and ~7" for males
pH:7.0 - 7.6 in nature, though this species is very tolerant of a wide range of parameters. Provided they are properly acclimated, this species can thrive in a slightly higher pH. Mine is kept in water with pH of 8.2.
Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallon long or breeder tank
Native Location: Central America
Temperature: 72-80F
Diet: Omnivore. A good pellet should make up the staple diet, while occasional treats of frozen/freeze dried/live shrimp, krill or worms will be greedily accepted.
Breeding: Both male and female will guard and clean a spawning location. Female will lay the eggs which are then fertilized by the male. The female will then guard the immediate area while the male patrols the outer area. When in breeding mode, both male and female will turn a dark blue/grey color.
Gender Differences: Males will grow larger and will develop a nuchal hump as they mature. Also, the female will change into her breeding pattern when courting begins. Males won't change color until the fry are free swimming.
Aggression: Not overly aggressive but rather territorial. I haven't seen much aggression or territorial behavior from my male yet, but he's only ~3" and in a 150 gallon with other medium sized cichlids. I did visit a fellow hobbyist once that had a jumbo male (at least 7") in a 135 gallon tank with a 10-12" albino oscar and the centrarchus was the obvious ruler of the tank. If keeping a pair, I wouldn't add any other cichlids unless the tank is at least 6' long. If the tank is 4' you could add a very quick schooling fish for the male to chase around.
Notes: Until the addition of the Jack Dempsey to the genus, the centrarchus was the largest of the group.
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