Size
The largest uaru cichlid in the wild is 12–14 inches (30–35 cm) long. They are considerably smaller in a tank, measuring just 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm).
Physical Appearance
Uaru has an egg-shaped body that is severely flattened from the sides. Their dorsal begins exactly where their forehead ends. The adult species’ colouring is primarily composed of yellow-brown hues. On their bodyside, they feature a sizable triangular dark mark. This location has given the species various names, the most well-known of which is triangle cichlid. The area next to the fish eyes is another minor area to which we should pay close attention.
Due to the overall black background and the fact that Uaru has quite wide eyes that range in colour from bright yellow to red, they truly stand out.
Habitat
The Uaru cichlid is indigenous to Guyana, Brazil, and the middle and lower Rio Negro rivers, as well as those rivers’ tributaries. Along the Rio Solimoes, the Rio Japurá, the Rio Tapajós, and the main stem of the Amazon River, it is also typical.
Keeping as Pet
Tank size
You’ll need a tank with at least 250 litres of very clean water in it to maintain a couple. The tank for a small group should have a minimum capacity of 500 litres, and it is preferable if it is a species tank (containing only uaru fish).
Water parameters
Water should be 28-30 °C (82.4-86 oF) in temperature. The fish can tolerate a temporary reduction in water temperature of up to 20 °C, though. However, as uaru can quickly become cold, excessive use of this feature is not advised. Water hardness can range from 6 to 20°dGH, with a pH between 6,0 and 8,0. Water should be up to 12°dGH hardness and pH 5.8-7.5 for wild species.
Feeding
Adult uaru cichlids consume 80% of their diet as plants in the wild. 20% of the remaining ingredients are animal-derived feed. They enjoy eating duckweed, cabbage, lettuce, spinach, blowball, sliced apples, cucumbers and zucchini in a tank. Since spinach’s leaves contain oxalic acid, it is not suggested that they consume it often.
All foliage needs to be well cleaned before being gathered in a bundle and placed in a tank with a load weight connected. Everything is typically consumed extremely rapidly.
The uaru cichlid consumes protein-rich foods like tubifex, blood worms, and worms. However, such food may also be contaminated with parasites and contagious diseases. Given the fish’s size and lengthy lifespan, it is advised to feed them with specialized fake cichlid diet.
Tank Mates
Uaru can be housed with discus fish, however this delicate fish isn’t the ideal tank mate in this situation. Uaru can also be kept with freshwater angelfish, blue acara, convict cichlids, green terror cichlids, blood parrot cichlids, Texas cichlids, and keyhole cichlids.
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