Uaru Cichlid

• ExerciseModerate

  An active swimmer that appreciates open swimming space.

• GroomingAttentive tank care

  Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• Living spaceMid-size tank

  Needs a mid-size aquarium with room to swim.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment8–12 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Ich (white spot) · Fin rot · Bloat (GDV)

The Uaru (Uaru amphiacanthoides), also called the triangle cichlid, comes from the Amazon and Rio Negro and reaches about 25 to 30 cm. Juveniles are dark with white spots and transform completely as they mature into a pale body with a large black triangular blotch. Like discus, uaru fry graze mucus from their parents' flanks in the first days of life, one of the few cichlid groups that share that behaviour. A group of five or six needs 450 litres or more at 27-30C, soft acidic water, pH 5.5 to 7.0, with driftwood, dim light and a soft substrate. Feed a plant-heavy diet: blanched courgette, spinach, peas, spirulina pellets and only modest amounts of frozen food, since a diet too rich in protein is linked to digestive trouble in this species. It is shy, sensitive to poor water quality and prone to hiding when kept alone, so it should be kept in a group. It will eat every soft plant in the tank, which is worth accepting before setting up rather than discovering later.

• How active is a Uaru Cichlid?

  Moderate. An active swimmer that appreciates open swimming space.

• How much maintenance does a Uaru Cichlid need?

  Attentive tank care. Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• What tank size does a Uaru Cichlid need?

  Mid-size tank. Needs a mid-size aquarium with room to swim.

• Is a Uaru Cichlid a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Uaru Cichlid live?

  8–12 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Uaru Cichlid?

  Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Fin rot, Bloat (GDV). These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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