Port Cichlid

[reallybigfish]

Trying to get some good info on these guys. Used to get the brown ones all the time hoping they would turn out like this. This is the male in a breeding dress. He has even more blue when he is displaying normal colors. Anyone know the scientific name to this particular fish?

 

[leopio]

nice.
Geo. Origin: Known from the Rio Mamoré, Rio Guaporé and Madre de Dios drainages in both
Bolivia and Peru.

Diet: Carnivore (Cichild pellets as staple diet, meaty foods like prawn and mussel for treats)

Gender Differences: Male is the larger fish, is more colourful and has extended dorsal and anal fins.

Breeding: likely to be similar to other cichlasoma species and their relatives if theres not much info on it i wouldnt of thought thay breed easy

Temperament: Peaceful (Community of medium to large fish)

Conspecific Temperament: Can be kept in a Species tank

Maximum Size: 4.4" (11cm)

Temperature: 74 - 80°F (23 - 27°C)

pH: 6.5 - 7.4

Water Hardness: Up to 15°H

Difficulty: 3

Tank Size: 36" x 15" x 12" (90cm x 37.5cm x 30cm) - 100 litres for a pair.

Availability: Quite rare im thinking with not much ifo on them?
here are some pics of my pair. still small color well get better as they get bigger.

 

[NewWorldCichlidcraz]

Scientific name is Aequidens portalegrensis.The old scientific name was Cichlasoma portalegrense before change.

 

[reallybigfish]

Scientific name is Aequidens portalegrensis.The old scientific name was Cichlasoma portalegrense before change.

Port Cichlid is a common name. Not sure if they are Aequidens portalegrensis...

 

[ryansmith83]

There are several species that are referred to as "port cichlids" in the hobby. Some are really drab, some have black-edged scales, some show a lot of blue, etc.

Here's a really good write-up about all the different ports found in the hobby:

http://www.fishchannel.com/freshwater-aquariums/species-info/cichlid/port-cichlids.aspx

 

[dogofwar]

Good article, Ryan!

I recommend that the OP read it.

The "ports" or acaras are the only fish currently in the Cichlasoma genus.

Some are more aggressive (on each other and tankmates) and larger than others. I have a pair of C. arugaiense that happily co-exist and breed in a 2'x2'x1' tank even though the males pushing 8-9"....and a pair of dimerus that will pound each other if I remove the divider.

Also, depending on where the fish are from will determine their water conditions. For example, some ports are from temperate locations (like Uruguay...or introduced in Florida) while some are from tropical locales.

Matt

There are several species that are referred to as "port cichlids" in the hobby. Some are really drab, some have black-edged scales, some show a lot of blue, etc.

Here's a really good write-up about all the different ports found in the hobby:

http://www.fishchannel.com/freshwater-aquariums/species-info/cichlid/port-cichlids.aspx

 

[ryansmith83]

Also, depending on where the fish are from will determine their water conditions. For example, some ports are from temperate locations (like Uruguay...or introduced in Florida) while some are from tropical locales.

I'm from central Florida but my dad worked in Miami for a year. The retention pond behind his apartment complex was full of a port cichlid variety. We caught them with regular fishing poles and worms. They were gorgeous brown fish with blue/green spangling and incredible fins. You could sit on the bank and watch them spawning and digging in the sand. I had an empty 55 gallon at home then (I was about 14 at the time) and I begged him to catch a bunch and bring home when he came. He didn't have time before he left.

I know there are a lot of introduced cichlids in south Florida (I always hear about Oscars in the 'Glades) but I wasn't sure if the ports were an isolated thing or if they were widespread.

 

[Sab_Fan]

I know there are a lot of introduced cichlids in south Florida (I always hear about Oscars in the 'Glades) but I wasn't sure if the ports were an isolated thing or if they were widespread.

I am pretty sure I saw port cichlids on a golf course in Lake Worth, FL . . . kinda like you, I wanted to go home and get a net, bring a couple home . . . I think locally they are known as black acaras

a couple years ago I bought a pair of "blue ports" (c. portalagrensis) from CichlidBroker.com; they aren't as nice as your pix above, but they are a very nice blue color . . . I'd post pix, but they are ridiculously camera shy (!)

 

[thatcichlidguy]

That's a really nice port acara (Aequidens portalegrensis). There a few look alikes that get sold evey once and a while but there are a few regional varieties of the port as well . Mostly if it was labled as a port it probably is. Once every so often though you'll get a real rarity labled as a port , especially if the fish are juvies when you get them. Many acaras are very difficult to distinguish when they are very small.

The Bolivian acaras are one of only two species that are in the cichlasoma genus. The rest have been reassigned.

 

[reallybigfish]

From the article posted, these look like they might be the true ports. These guys aren't too shy and are about to spawn. =) I will try to get a better photo when the male is out of the breeding dress and is showing more blue.