Diadem Cichlid

About

Found in the soft, acidic streams and blackwater quebradas of the upper Negro and Orinoco river systems, Aequidens diadema is a modestly sized cichlid native to Colombia, Venezuela, and parts of Peru. In the wild it occupies everything from clear forest creeks to deeply tannin-stained blackwater channels, often in areas associated with aguajal palm swamp conditions. That adaptability to a fairly wide range of soft, acidic water types is something you can lean on in the aquarium, though getting the water chemistry in the right ballpark will bring out the best in this fish. At a shade under five inches at its largest, it fits into a mid-sized cichlid setup without demanding a huge footprint, but a 45-gallon minimum still gives it room to establish territories comfortably. As an omnivore it is not particularly fussy at feeding time, accepting a varied diet without much coaxing. Temperament sits somewhere in the middle of the cichlid spectrum. Not outright aggressive, but assertive enough that tankmate selection deserves some thought. This is not a fish for complete beginners, but intermediate keepers comfortable with South American cichlids and softer water conditions should find it a rewarding and interesting species to work with.