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Freshwater fishRainbow Cichlid
Rainbow Cichlid
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When Albert Günther discovered this cichlid in Costa Rica back in 1867, there must have been a rainbow over the water. These are pretty cichlids, but the color is subtle. The males exhibit yellow, red and green shades, and the females have the same shades but less color. A little color-enhancing food will bring out the red in the rainbow cichlid. One great feature of the rainbow cichlid is its voracious appetite for hair algae (filamentous algae).
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Archocentrus multispinosus |
| Origin | Central America (Honduras to Costa Rica) |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Temperament | Peaceful for a cichlid (territorial when breeding) |
| Adult Size | Up to 4–5" |
| Lifespan | 8–10 years |
| Diet | Omnivore (grazes on algae) |
| Water Temperature | 75–82°F |
| pH | 7.0–8.0 |
| Group Size | Single or pair |
| Shipping Size | Approx. 2½" |
Care Guide
Tank setup: Give them a sand or gravel bottom, rocks, caves and driftwood to create territories. Anchor decorations well, since they like to dig. Strong filtration is important.
Feeding: Feed a quality cichlid pellet or flake once or twice a day. They also enjoy frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp.
Tankmates: Keep them with other robust Central American cichlids of similar size, plus larger catfish and plecos. Give each fish its own territory, and avoid small or timid fish.
Good to know: Central American cichlids are hardy and easy to breed. Pairs become very protective of their eggs and fry.
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