UNDERWATER EYE by Morrell Devlin
AMAZONAS
REDHEAD CICHLID
Vieja melanura
For many years this very popular large cichlid was
known as Vieja synspila. DNA tests indicated it
was a sister species of V. m e l a n u r a. Melanura was
the older of the two names and stuck. This Vieja is
easily kept, but it can grow to almost 14 inches in
length (35 cm) and needs its space. Like most of
the Central American bruisers, it can also be feisty.
Perhaps one of the most colorful of the tankbusters,
the Redhead Cichlid makes a great wet pet.