Tag Archives: Aequidens

Aequidens superomaculatum

14. March 2022

For the first time we were able to import a beautiful Aequidens from Venezuela, which is probably Ae. superomaculatum. This species has been described scientifically only a few years ago – in 2015. Unique in the genus and also giving the name (superomaculatum = with a spot above) is the combination of a continuous lateral stripe and a lateral spot positioned far above. In the other Aequidens species the lateral stripe is either interrupted or/and the lateral spot is located in the middle of the longitudinal band. However, our new imports differ from the first description specimens in that they have two side spots: the eponymous one below the dorsal fin and additionally one within the longitudinal band. Thus they show a striking similarity with the to our knowledge still scientifically undescribed Ae. sp. “Jenaro Herrera” from Peru, which was found near the locality Jenaro Herrara at the Rio Ucayali. Between the occurrences of the two Aequidens is a good 500 km as the crow flies. Also Ae. diadema from the Rio Negro in Venezuela is very similar and also fits geographically. Certainly some more research is needed before we can be sure about the name of this cichlid.

Our new imports look particularly attractive because of the orange markings, which on the one hand frame the side spot located within the longitudinal band, and on the other hand decorate the back…. About the behavior of the animals, which according to the first description can become about 15 cm long (the largest specimen available to the describers had a length of 133.8 mm without caudal fin), we cannot say much yet, but they show themselves with us – typical Aequidens – reserved and somewhat shy. According to Uwe Werner, who could bring Aequidens superomaculatum already once privately, it is a larvophilous mouthbrooder, i.e. the fish spawns in the manner of an open brooder on a solid object as adhesive spawners and takes the hatched larvae for further care in the mouth.

For our customers: the animals have code 611174 on our stock list. Please note that we supply exclusively to wholesalers.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Andinoacara rivulatus

22. March 2019

Once colourful large cichlids were so popular that imports from Ecuador were organised mainly because of them. On the pacific side of the country live the “Green Terror”, so the then still Aequidens rivulatus named gold seam cichlids were called, and the “Red Terror”, then Cichlasoma festae, today Mesoheros festae. Both species become easily over 20 cm long (the maximum-size of M. festae lies even with 25 cm), are extremely colorful, but can also distribute neatly.

These times are long past and M. festae has become almost a rarity in the trade. Almost all animals offered under this name are in reality Mayaheros urophthalmus. But Andinoacara rivulatus, as the Green Terror is now called, is still available from time to time; we have now once again got very pretty specimens, they are offspring from Indonesia. 

The gold seam cichlid is an open breeder with a biparental family. A leading pair with juveniles is one of the most beautiful sights you can have in an aquarium.

For our customers: the animals have code 610003 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesalers.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Aequidens sp. Ventuari/Moriche

22. February 2019

This beautiful and peaceful, somewhat reserved cichlid comes from Venezuela. It was collected in the Rio Ventuari, at a place where the river has to avoid the mountain Moriche. Mount Moriche is 1216 m high. Aequidens sp. Ventuari/Moriche is undoubtedly closely related to A. metae and becomes about 20 cm long. They are open breeders with a biparental family. The female gets a dark head in excitement, while the male’s orange zones behind the head and in the back area intensify.

For our customers: the animals have code 606423 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesalers.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer