Acarichthys Heckelii Info

[Hudson Ensz]

Hey, I am new to the group. I want to know what kind of gravel is the best for this type to thrive well. Is sand better than small rocks (large gravel)? Any pointers on how to keep them.

Amazon Kid

[Bas Pels]

Although this species is not as fanatic in earth eating as true Geophagus, I would certainly make it possible for them to sift sand.

I once had a Geophagus from a store tank (bare bottemed) which spend the first 12 hours I had it digging trough the whole tank - over 4 square feet. Later it hardly sifted any sand. To me this was evidence fishes can be frustrated, just as human beings. I think Acarichthys can get just as frustrated as Geophagus if not able to sift substrate. They will not mind sifting clay, you will. Thus sand is one of the few compromises

I had this species twice, the first time they were very agressive, but I might heve koept them in too small tankds (`130 * 60 cm, or 130 * 50 cm) with too few (3)

The second time they inhabited a 4 meter tank. They were very peacefull indeed, amongst each other (6) or towards other fishes. However, they died form a very agressive desease, killing all cichlids, exept Heros and Medonauta. Thus I keep only cichlids from this group (Heroini) in this tank.

The second time they did not eat the tiny tetras I had put in the tank previously, the first time I added 4 small fishes, which were (naturally) not directly happy in the tank. Thus the Acarichthys assumed they said 'eat me' and did

I almost lost both one of the tiny fiash and an acarichthys, but after 1 day I could get the corpse out of the Acarichthys mouth

So do be carefull with adding new, small, fishes

[bantamweight1911]

hi,

I have this species. They are closely related to Geophagus, but are not Geophagus. I would also say that they do not sift sand to any extent. In nature, I believe they live in areas with very muddy bottoms.

However, I use sand rather than gravel for ALL my fish, its just a better substrate IMO.

So my comments are, they will not sift sand, but give them sand anyway.

[Piotr Koba]

An old thread, but it's better to ask here than open another one I think.
Could someone give me an info about their aggression? I have read in Polish article, that they after 3 years of growing almost spawned, but male has killed female... I'm looking for a nice setup for my 450L (180cm) and I'm still not decided. So, what are your opinions?

[Marko Lenac]

mine are very peaceful. even more than the geos

[Piotr Koba]

Thank you Marko,
And what about water? It seems they are quite adaptative, but is pH 7,6 and gh 16 good? I think it doesn't

[Marko Lenac]

Thank you Marko,
And what about water? It seems they are quite adaptive, but is pH 7,6 and gh 16 good? I think it doesn't

I will measure it for you! I must confess, I look at this good water indicators more than measure pH and gh:
1. fish are healthy and have good overall looking
2. normal grow rate
3. spawnings occur
4. eggs and young ones normally develop
5.

[Piotr Koba]

Me too Marko, that's 100% true what you've already written. But I have to know if they will be happy in such water/or I should add some "softeners" to water (I mean natural ones, of course).

[Ole Marius Ekeberg]

Can mention that i have a group of wild cought heckelii, and they seem to thrive in ph 7,2 - 7,5. Had them in 6 months. No problems so far.