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Here is what it looks like when one of my 'mature' Central American tanks is being fed. Over the course of the last three years, they have grown from non-descript 1“ (2.5 cm) youngsters into the gorgeous specimens that you can see in the video. The key word here is “grown“. Unless you are into Amatitlania or Cryptoheros, which rarely exceed 4“ (10 cm), most of the others will reach 10“ to 12“ (25 to 30 cm), at least for males. Then aquaria that were roomy for the youngsters become somewhat crowded for the adults (understatement😊). With maturity comes increased aggression, formation of pairs with attendant territoriality, and spawning. This can be problematic unless the tank is large, with appropriate structure, and careful choice of compatible (?) species. is made. Incidentally I no longer keep Parachromis or Nandopsis. It's pretty much impossible to deal with members of these genera. A “pair only“ tank usually results at some point in the death of one or the other of the pair unless you watch them 24/7 or divide the tank. If it hasn't for you, you've just been lucky. My Centrals for the most part do get quite large. My Tomocichla tuba and asfraci are around 10 to 12“ (and are still growing), rostratus around 10“, and that's how it goes. Having said that, even in a community setting, fish can meet an untimely end. But it is known that crowding curbs aggression, or at least it “dilutes“ or spreads it around. But with that, you have to contend with the increased production of metabolites by having really good filtration and a frequent water change regimen. Easier said than done unless you install an automatic water change system (I don't have one ☹️). Anyways here is a video of one of my 'mature' Central tanks while the fish are being fed. There are 4 species in there., Tomocichla asfraci(2 pair), Oscura heterospila (7 ), Cribroheros rostratus (2 pair) and Cribroheros alfari (reverse trio). Fed with what you ask? NorthFin pellet food of course.😉
