Care
The Rainbow Cichlid is known from the River Patuca in Honduras to the River Matina in Costa Rica on the eastern (Atlantic) slope of Central America. On the western (Pacific) slope it is found in the River Guasaule in Nicaragua and on to the Tempisque and Bebedero Rivers in Costa Rica. In the 1990s, it was discovered that this species had been introduced to a hot spring at Heviz in Zala County, Hungary, where it has become firmly established. Its usual natural habitat is the weedy margins of lakes and swampy areas with muddy substrates, where it feeds on algae filaments and detritus. During dry periods, it is known to tolerate the high temperatures of small, diminishing water bodies, where it has been recorded surviving at up to 36 °C! However, this is somewhat extreme and we suggest maintaining this species at a steady temperature somewhere between 22-28 °C in the home aquarium. The tank should be a minimum of 3ft long for a pair of these fish, and larger if a group is being maintained. As these fish prefer a muddy substrate, it is best to choose sand rather than gravel for the bottom of the aquarium. Provide shelter in the form of driftwood and smooth rocky caves/pipes and flower pots, along with some areas of robust planting for additional cover. Filtration should be efficient, with a moderate amount of water flow, but do create some calmer areas using the decor. These cichlids require clean water so be sure to carry out partial water changes on a regular basis so that nitrate is kept to a minimum. Rainbow Cichlids are relatively peaceful (especially compared to other Central American cichlids) and should be kept alongside other reasonably peaceable fish such as medium sized/deep bodied tetras, medium sized barbs, robust livebearers, doradids and suckermouth catfish, and other easygoing cichlids that are of similar size. As their common name implies, Rainbow Cichlids can be very colourful fish when in good condition and are popular because of this and on account of their manageable size and calm nature. They are capable of fairly dramatic colour change, depending on their mood or when in spawning mode. This species is still regularly seen on sale under the synonym
Herotilapia multispinosa.
Feeding
Rainbow Cichlids are omnivorous and will accept most aquarium foods offered. Try to keep it varied with good quality carnivore and herbivore flakes, small sinking pellet foods, and a mixture of frozen foods such as white mosquito larvae, vitamin/spirulina-enriched brineshrimp, and Mysis.
Breeding
Rainbow Cichlids are pair-bonded substrate spawners and are easy to breed. A pair will choose a suitable spawning site - usually a smooth rock or piece of slate - and this will be defended mostly by the male, against all other fish, particularly other male Rainbow Cichlids. The female lays her eggs on the chosen area in multiple lines, the male immediately following on each run, fertilising them. Up to 1500 eggs may be laid if the fish are large, mature adults. The female will closely guard the eggs and will fan oxygenated water over them with her pelvic fins, whilst the male defends the outside perimeter of their territory (he will sometimes take a turn in fanning the eggs). The eggs should hatch within 48 hours (temperature dependent), and the fry will become free swimming within a week. During this time, the parents may move the young into other pre-dug spawning pits within their territory. Once free swimming, the fry should be offered finely powdered fry foods and baby brineshrimp. The parents typically care for the fry for around 4 weeks, after which time the young start to go their own way.
