Black Belt Cichlid Care Guide
Vieja maculicauda
Stocking Calculator
Bioload Score
9400
AggressiveModerateFreshwater
- Max Size
- 30.0 cm / 12.0"
- Temperature
- 24–28°C (75–82°F)
- pH Range
- 6.5 – 8.0
- Min Tank Size
- 285L (75 gal)
- Min Group Size
- Can be kept alone
- Tank Level
- Bottom
- Origin
- Central America
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Breeding Difficulty
- Moderate
Diet
Omnivorous, requires a varied diet including pellets, vegetables, and live or frozen foods.
Community Compatibility
Not suitable for a general community tank due to its size and aggression. Best kept with other large, robust fish that can hold their own.
Good to Know
The Black Belt Cichlid is named for the distinctive black horizontal stripe that appears like a "belt" across its midsection, a feature that becomes more pronounced as the fish matures.
Gender Differences
Males are larger with more pronounced dorsal and anal fins compared to females.
Stock Black Belt Cichlid in Your Tank
Use our free stocking calculator to see if Black Belt Cichlid fits your aquarium