{"product_id":"cichlasoma-carpintis-pearlscale-cichlid","title":"Cichlasoma Carpintis Pearlscale Cichlid","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Pearlscale Cichlid, Herichthys carpintis, is a robust Mexican cichlid covered in iridescent turquoise to pearl-white spangles over a green-grey ground, with black blotches along the rear flank. Breeding fish turn dramatically pale with jet black bellies. From the Pánuco lowlands of north-east Mexico, it suits experienced keepers of Central American cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 25–30 cm (10–12 in); males larger\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 10–12 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNative to:\u003c\/em\u003e Río Pánuco lowlands and coastal lagoons, north-east Mexico\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Lagoons, rivers and lakes with rock and submerged vegetation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDiet:\u003c\/em\u003e Omnivorous\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Cichlid pellets, spirulina flake, brine shrimp, bloodworm, prawn, blanched vegetables\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Feed once daily; include vegetable matter regularly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBest with:\u003c\/em\u003e Similar-sized, robust Central American cichlids, large plecs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Small fish, which are eaten; timid or slow species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAggression \u0026amp; Behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/em\u003e Aggressive, especially when breeding; small fish are eaten\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Highly territorial; males may attack females in the pair\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/em\u003e Intermediate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Aggression management, pair compatibility, digging, large filtration needs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/em\u003e Freshwater, moderately hard and alkaline\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 24–28°C (75–82°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 7.0–8.0\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 8–20 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 300 litres for a pair; much larger with other cichlids\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrowth is fast and adults are powerful diggers that will uproot plants and shift rockwork, so use sand and stable, secured stone. Females are recognised by a black blotch in the dorsal fin; pairs are substrate spawners that hatch in around two days, and males can turn on their partner, so keep a divider ready. Aggression escalates around spawning and small tank mates will be eaten. Rewarding for anyone who enjoys big, colourful personalities.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"5cm","offer_id":64680669806969,"sku":"STF-CICHLA-CARPIN-5cm","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"10cm","offer_id":64680669839737,"sku":"STF-CICHLA-CARPIN-10cm","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-CICHLA-CARPIN.png?v=1790096921","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk\/products\/cichlasoma-carpintis-pearlscale-cichlid","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}