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Midas Cichlid
Amphilophus citrinellus
📍 Central America
The Midas Cichlid is a large, aggressive Central American cichlid known for its vibrant coloration ranging from yellow-orange to red. These powerful fish are popular in the aquarium hobby but require experienced keepers due to their territorial nature and substantial space requirements. They are intelligent, long-lived fish that can become quite personable with their owners.
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Care Guide
Diet
Midas Cichlids are omnivorous and should be fed high-quality cichlid pellets as their staple diet. Supplement with live foods such as earthworms, crickets, and small fish 2-3 times per week. Offer blanched vegetables like zucchini and spinach weekly to provide essential nutrients and aid digestion.
Behavior
Midas Cichlids are highly territorial and aggressive, especially during breeding season. They are active swimmers that spend time throughout all water zones, constantly patrolling their territory. These intelligent fish recognize their owners and can be hand-fed, but they will aggressively attack tank mates and should generally be kept singly or in pairs only.
Breeding
Breeding Midas Cichlids is moderately difficult and requires a dedicated breeding tank of at least 55 gallons. Pairs are monogamous and will vigorously defend their eggs and fry, making them dangerous to other fish. Provide flat surfaces for spawning, maintain water temperature at 26-28°C, and perform frequent water changes to encourage breeding behavior.
Tank Mates
Nocturnal and armored; may be tolerated but requires careful monitoring
Similar aggression level; only compatible in very large tanks with adequate space
Large cichlid that may coexist in spacious tanks but aggression is unpredictable
Common Diseases
Hole-in-the-Head (Hexamita)
Pits or holes developing on the head and lateral line, loss of appetite, lethargy
Improve water quality, increase water change frequency, use medicated food containing metronidazole, maintain optimal water parameters
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots covering body and fins, excessive scratching against objects, rapid breathing
Gradually raise water temperature to 28-30°C, use aquarium salt at recommended doses, perform daily water changes, treat with copper-free ich medication
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, fin tissue loss
Perform frequent water changes to improve water quality, remove any sharp decorations, use antibacterial medication, ensure adequate filtration
Bacterial Infection
Open sores, ulcers on body, cloudy eyes, torn fins, behavioral changes
Isolate affected fish in quarantine tank, perform daily water changes, use broad-spectrum antibiotic medication, maintain pristine water conditions
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore - feeds on pellets, live foods, and vegetables
- lifespan
- 10-20 years
- max size
- 38 cm (15 in)
- tank size
- 75 gallons minimum
- temperament
- aggressive
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.5-8.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 5-12 dGH
- temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)