Mini-dovii (Cichlasoma grammodes)

Scientific Name(s): Cichlasoma grammodes, Herichthys grammodes, Nandopsis grammodes

 

Common Name(s): Mini-dovii, Sieve Cichlid

 

Family: Cichglidae

 

Species Type: Central American Cichlids

 

Maximum Size: 12 inches

 

Life Span: 10 years

 

Natural Habitat: Central American rivers

 

Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons

 

Tank Region: All over

 

Possible Tank Mates: Can be kept with other cichlids until adult sized (about 5 inches)

 

Description: The grammodes has been often referred to as a miniature version of Parachromis dovii and should be treated as such. (They are extremely aggressive) While called a miniature fish, this grammodes will only to a modest 12" instead of 30" plus of the real Wolf cichlid. This species is one of the "Grammodes complex" which also includes C. beani and C. istlanum. These 3 species are currently classified as exCichlasoma until further study and classification can be done.

 

Temperature Range 72°F - 82°F

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pH Range 6.8 - 8

pH 5.0

pH 6.0

pH 7.0

pH 8.0

pH 9.0

 

Hardness 10° - 30°

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Breeding Information: This is not a more commonly available species and as such it is also not commonly spawned. A pair should form once they reach a size somewhere in the area of 4-6" at which time any other fish in the tank will most likely need to be removed. A flat surface which could be either the walls of a cave or a flat piece of slate will be cleaned and the female will lay the eggs. Once the pair have spawned one must keep a watchful eye on the pair to make sure they don't start becoming aggressive with one another.

 

Sexing Information: Can be difficult to determine unless a group of 6 or more are available for comparison. Males will have very pronounced red spots all over the body while the female will have very few, if any red spots below the mid-lateral line. Also, males will grow larger and develop a nuchal hump.

 

Diet: Carnivorous - Nutritional foods would include a high quality cichlid pellet, shrimp pellet, krill pellet and even the occasional spirulina or veggie pellet just for proper balanced nutrition. Frozen or freeze dried treats of blood worms, brine shrimp, beefheart or krill can be given as well as live treats on occasion.

 

Temperment: Extremely aggressive.

 

Common Diseases: None specific to species.

 

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Mini-dovii (Cichlasoma grammodes)