Caquetaia Umbriferus - "Blue Freckled Monster" aka. Umbee
Scientific Name: Caquetaia Umbriferus
Distribution: South American - Colombia and Panama river basins
Size: Males to 24"/61cm, females to 13"/33cm
Common Names: Umbee, Blue-freckled Monster, Blue-speckled Monster
Temperature: 72-80F/22-27C
pH: 7 to 8
General Information:
With this cichlid, the name pretty much says it all
Blue-freckled MONSTER!!!! With males reaching around 24 inches/61cm, the Umbee is one of the largest cichlids available in the hobby and is considered by many to be equal only to the Dovii in aggressive nature and appetite. Males generally have a dull brownish gold base colour with a tendency towards a scarlet blush on their heads. The vibrantly iridescent blue "freckles" on the face on gill plates are what give this fish its distinctive common name. The dorsal, caudal and tailfin show a spectacular shade of blue and often hints of green. Females are generally a little more on the bland size, however they still show the brilliant blue facial freckles and a tendency towards the blue/green coloration on their dorsal and tail fins. Adult males are sometimes described as "all muscle, mouth, stomach and attitude", making these fish a real favourite for those wanting larger, aggressive cichlids. Be warned, as with Dovii's these fish will consider a large area of space around their tank as part of their territory, and will regularly charge at the glass to dispel the invaders, be they animal, vegetable or mineral in nature.
Aquarium Set Up:
As their name suggests, male Umbee's grow to a very large size. At 24"/61cm a male Umbee will need a minimum of a 250-gallon/950litre tank, with bigger always being better. As juveniles, these fish can be kept with other cichlids of a similar size without too many problems, but as they grow, their aggressive nature comes to the fore and by 10", you should be looking to find them a new home, without tankmates. Generally the only fish that a juvenile Umbee will object to is another juvenile Umbee, which makes trying to raise a pair together a little on the tricky side. These fish grow incredibly fast, even for cichlids, juvenile's will often double in size within a few months, going from 1"/2.5cm babies to 5"/13cm monsters-in-training in only 4 months. This sort of growth rate needs to be planned for and having their eventual home of 250 gallons/950litres or more on hand from day one is a good idea.
Umbee's are open-water swimmers, spending much of their time patrolling their territories, hunting for their next meal. Tanks should be set up taking this into consideration, with a sand or fine gravel substrate, rocks and driftwood, much like the large rivers they inhabit. Anything that is included in the tank should be well secured as destructive cichlid behaviour should be expected. Given their size and muscle mass, these fish are definitely capable of destroying almost any fake or real plant you would put in the tank, and a lot of people consider that plants in an Umbee tank are just a waste of time and money. Some type of cave or dark refuge is also a good idea, giving your fish some place to retreat to, should he or she feel the need. Good filtration and regular water changes are essential, as these fish do best on a high protein diet, which leaves a good deal of mess in the tank. Without good water quality, an Umbee will not reach its full potential
Feeding:
The Umbee's natural diet consists mainly of larger crustaceans and small fish. In an aquarium situation, they will need a high protein diet, with vegetable matter being a matter of owner preference, rather than need. Small crabs and live shrimp will be attacked with great relish, along with good quality feeders. It is essential to breed your own feeders to be able to provide good quality and disease free fish. Larger insects, such as earthworns and crickets are also good, along with beefheart and other frozen, high protein items, such as krill. Umbee's are natural hunters and enjoy the thrill of stalking their prey, but can also be convinced to eat good quality pellets that have been designed for large, carnivorous fish.
Breeding:
Breeding Umbee's can be quite a challenge, as they are not tolerant of their own kind. Given the size difference between a full grown male and a full grown female, attempts can often lead to heartbreak. With these fish, it can often be a better idea to spawn them through a divider, where eggs can be fertilised without the female being at risk from the male's wrath. Spawning in this fashion is not the most practical or the most productive form of breeding, but it is far safer than risking your female. As with most cichlids, the female lays her eggs on a flat rock which one or both parents have cleaned beforehand. After fertilisation takes place, the female guards the eggs, while the male patrols and defends the territory. Both fish will be at their most territorial at this stage, and care should be taken not to disturb then, unless you're not to fond of your fingers. With the amount of power a male Umbee has at his disposal he can do major damage.
I haven't personally owned any of these fish yet
(, but I hope to do so sometime in the near future. A truley spectacular fish, but buyer beware. This fish isn't for the everyday aquarist. Feel free to add anything, ie personal experience.
Works Cited:
http://www.worldcichlids.com/fotm/april2005umbee.html