Pearl Cichlid

Remarks: The pearl cichlid comes from a wide variety of habitats in Brazil and Uruguay with some populations even residing in estuaries where they have developed a tolerance for mildly brackish conditions. A common feature among these habitats is a sandy substrate that is necessary in the aquarium due to their earth-eating habits.

  While they are earth-eaters, this species will also snatch food out of the water column and will possibly eat any tank-mates that are small enough to fit in their mouths. Their common name comes from the iridescent scales that cover majority of the body upon maturity. Males typically grow larger than females and very dominant individuals will develop a nuchal hump.