Chameleon cichlid (Australoheros facetus)

Scientific name: Australoheros facetus Jenyns, 1842

Chameleon cichlid (Australoheros facetus)

The Chameleon cichlid (Australoheros facetus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows to about 18 cm (7.1 in). It is difficult to keep and semi-aggressive and needs a tank of at least 210 L (55 US gal), water at 22–28°C (72–82°F) and a pH of 6.5–7.0. Native range: South America, Coastal drainages of Uruguay and Rio Grande do Sul, Paran? River basin of Brazil and the lower part of Paran? River in Argentina.

Chameleon cichlid care at a glance

Care level
Difficult
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Adult size
18 cm (7.1 in)
Minimum tank
210 L (55 US gal)
Temperature
22–28°C (72–82°F)
pH
6.5–7.0
Hardness
5–12 dGH (89–214 ppm)
Diet
Omnivore. Accepts flakes, frozen foods and live foods.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-11; Anal spines: 5 - 7; Anal soft rays: 7 - 9. This species differs from its congeners in having a lower jaw longer than upper and mouth pointing upwards; has the shortest dorsal scale cover and the least scaled dorsal and anal fins among (together with A. tembe); with four abdominal bars (present in more than 80% of individuals as compared to 50% or less in all other species.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Australoheros facetus
Family
Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
19.3
Common length
18.0
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 6.5 - 7.0; dH range: 5 - 12 benthopelagic
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
South America: Coastal drainages of Uruguay and Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Paran? River basin, lower part of Paran? River in Argentina.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tmax=10; Fec=300-1,000)

More south & central american cichlids

See all south & central american cichlids

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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