rainbow cichlid
Herotilapia multispinosa
Small cichlid from lakes and wetlands in Central America, reaching 17 cm. It eats mud and algae from the bottom and is used in aquariums.
Also called: ciclídeo-arco-íris, cholesca, rainbow cichlid
- maximum
- 17 cm
who is the rainbow cichlid
Cichlid of the family Cichlidae reaching 17 cm. It occurs in the San Juan ichthyological province, in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and also in Honduras. It lives in lakes and wetlands with muddy bottoms and feeds on mud, detritus and algal filaments. It forms pairs, and both sexes are territorial. The female guards the eggs and young, and the male defends the territory. It tolerates high temperatures and survives in small pools during the dry season. It is caught commercially and also used in aquariums.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the rainbow cichlid; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- It was found in 1991 at a thermal spring in Hévíz, Hungary, where it became established.
identification
Small cichlid, up to 17 cm, from lakes and wetlands with muddy bottoms. In the same region of Costa Rica and Nicaragua live the guapotes, much larger cichlids and fish predators, such as the jaguar guapote and the guapote. Its size and its diet of mud and algae set it apart from them. The common name refers to its bright coloring.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
It occurs in Central America, in the San Juan ichthyological province, in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and also in Honduras, in lakes and wetlands.
Habitat: Lakes and wetlands with muddy bottoms, in warm water with vegetation.
rules for the rainbow cichlid
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
It poses no danger to anglers, but the fin spines can prick the hand. Hold it by the body, with a wet hand, and release it quickly.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01445, b = 3.08; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Herotilapia multispinosa (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Herotilapia multispinosaNames by country and language.
