Amphilophus chancho information

[Dmaan.]

get em, i want a chancho.

 

[TheOscarGuy]

Well your on the right track by doing reasearch on this species (and other Amphilophus species) via CJexotics. Jeremy (the owner of the site) is by far the most experienced chancho breeders I've ever known. He was the first to bring this particular species to the states. He was also the first to breed these guys here (long before the Rapps bandwagon).

I recieved my first batch of Chancho about 3 or 3 1/2 years ago. I started with 10 or so and worked my waydown to a single pair. I lost the male some time ago and just a couple months ago lost my female.

Your right about their slow growth rate. They grow slow than any other fish I've ever kept. My female that just passed away was a solid 8" and I recieved her at 1". The male only got to 6" over 2 years before he died. So yes....they grow very slow.

The color of this species has been in my experience is a faded yellow under color with the dark barring. The barring was only present when the fish were stressed or being aggresive. The normal markings weren't bars at all but rather spots. Three to four spots set in the middle of their body the largest being the first spot set in the middle of the body equal distance from the head and tail. Their color (faded yellow) would become more intense when the went agro or the tank parameters were out of whack.

The largest and the main problem with this species in my experience is their aggression! These guys get terribly mean and will attack and kill and other like bodied fish. They don't just target other Amphilophus species (trust me I know). The only other time I've seen more aggresion from this fish is when I tried to breed them. The male almost killed my female over night. They will need a strong divider if you hope to breed them.

I've never done anything special for the chancho or any of the other new midas type species since I've owned them. Basic tap water and routine water changes. My water is very hard and the PH is very high too, something like 7.8 I think. Temp was basic too, 76-78 degrees.

From my experience they prefer a flat surface to breed rather than the cave or clay pot approach. That's was just my fish I can't really back that one up with any actual facts or research.

Well I hope that helped, they are great fish and you won't regret getting some. If you invest the time they really do get stunning as they grow.

Here is a couple pictures of my female.....

Thanks a lot Tug. That was a very detailed and informative post. Reagan has also told me about the aggression during breeding, and I anyway am looking for just a male -- so I won't be breeding them.

I received the two chanchos yesterday, they seem quite healthy and are now adjusting to their new tank.

 

[TheOscarGuy]

Tug~ I really like the first pic of the female. I can see a lot of yellow around the gills area. And in perspective, the out-of-water pic gives me a nice idea of how big she was. She had a nice hump too.

 

[bigguapote]

Here a few photos I'd like to share. I do not deserve any credit for taking these photos. They were taken by a friend of mine of pair he got from me. The male is a wild chancho, one of the only two in the country, both of which I imported myself from Nicaragua as juveniles.
The female is an F1 from the same batch that I am currently offering.

 

[Toby_H]

Then pat your friend on the back because those are some damn nice pics...

When does the aggression really start in these guys? I have 4 growout out together and there is a little nip and chase, but no more than I expect with any young Cichlids...

Am I safe until they reach sexual maturity?

I also have 4 Citrinellus Midas that are the same size and the Chancos are no more aggressive (for now).

 

[Guapote]

Then pat your friend on the back because those are some damn nice pics...

I agree. Those patterns are so cool. My Chancho is only around 1.5" and is very difficult to distinguish from my Barreds or Colored Midas.

Hoping to get a BEAST!!!

 

[Tug]

I agree those specimens are very nice looking. I love the breeding dress on these guys it shows the distinct "Y" bar that the chancho is known for.

I've always been curious where your stock came from Jeff so thank you for that little bit of insight. So is your line totally seperate from the original line that was brought in out of Willem Heijns stock? He only sent over F1's (and there was only 5-10 specimens to work with) so all the offspring first offered here in the states were F2's. Did he send you some wilds and F1's or did you have them collected for you?

The only reason I ask is it would be great to have some new blood available with this species.

I know the Reagan's came from the original line (well 90% sure) as did Stilllearnin's (mine too) so if there is new lines available that is great news.

O.K I'll stop hijacking, I'm sorry about that but it's not everyday you get a chance to discuss this species. Most people aren't even aware of these guys so thank you for making a post about them....I truly love them and other midas types.

 

[TheOscarGuy]

Here a few photos I'd like to share. I do not deserve any credit for taking these photos. They were taken by a friend of mine of pair he got from me. The male is a wild chancho, one of the only two in the country, both of which I imported myself from Nicaragua as juveniles.
The female is an F1 from the same batch that I am currently offering.

Thanks for posting these pics Jeff. The pair looks really amazing -- I am now thinking I should have got a breeding pair from Reagan Maybe once the male chancho grows..

The chanchos that arrived two days ago from Reagan have already gotten used to their new tank, accepting food, and are not at all afraid of me when I walk by their tank. This is in contrast to the Trimacs I received as juveniles which were *very* skittish earlier in their life. I also like the way the head shape is clearly different from citrinellus etc. in that they already seem to have nice big head getting developed (though at total length of 3-4" its not much ).

 

[fwlion]

the aggression started in my 4 chanchos once they hit about 4in. they are by FAR THE MOST AGGRO. I've seen personally in the midas complex just BLATIN AGGRESSION not suttle about anything

 

[TheOscarGuy]

The chanchos that arrived two days ago from Reagan have already gotten used to their new tank, accepting food, and are not at all afraid of me when I walk by their tank. This is in contrast to the Trimacs I received as juveniles which were *very* skittish earlier in their life. I also like the way the head shape is clearly different from citrinellus etc. in that they already seem to have nice big head getting developed (though at total length of 3-4" its not much ).

Here's a small update on the chancho I have received. As you can see in the pictures, the head shape is clearly developing, and is different from the beginning from other amphilophus. He has a male convict male along with him, and is slightly larger than the chancho, but it quite aggressive than the convict. As I have already mentioned he is not afraid if someone walks by the tank, which I really like

Enjoy!