Pastel cichlid (Amphilophus alfari)

Scientific name: Amphilophus alfari Meek, 1907

The Pastel cichlid (Amphilophus alfari) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 20–34°C (68–93°F). Native range: Central America, Atlantic slope from Honduras (Patuca River) to Costa Rica.

Pastel cichlid care at a glance

Temperature
20–34°C (68–93°F)

Biology

Inhabits all sections of the river from the fast flowing upper sections to the slower moving lower reaches. Collected between 2 and 1150 m elevation. Prefers sand or mud substrata where it sifts for aquatic insects, especially diptera and ephemeroptera and seeds. Spawns about 300-400 eggs at the end of the dry season, just before the wet season.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Amphilophus alfari
Family
Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
15.0
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 6.5 - 7.0; dH range: 2 - 10 benthopelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Central America: Atlantic slope from Honduras (Patuca River) to Costa Rica.
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 (Fec=300-400)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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