Vieja argentea also known as the Silver Cichlid, its scientific name Paraneetroplus argenteus, is a sizable species of Mexican cichlid that develops a pearly silvery appearance with black speckles as it ages.
It can be found in the western Mexican rivers and drainage systems. In their natural river environment, the majority of the submerged vegetation grows close to the river banks, and there are a lot of rocky places and submerged wood/tree stumps.
The Silver Cichlid is a very territorial and aggressive fish. This cichlid’s bright beauty has made it highly popular. The male specimens also feature a nuchal hump, and both the male and female individuals have a beautiful silver/white colour with appealing black and blue markings.
II. You would love the fish because…
Silver Cichlids have a stunning appearance that makes them well-liked in the aquarium hobby. Both sexes have stunning white/silver colouring with distinctive black and blue patterns.
Male Silver Cichlids differ from females in appearance due to their nuchal hump, impressively enlarged anal finnage, and bigger overall size. Its body and fins have a lot of little black dots. On the sides, forehead, and base of the tail, there are additional black patches.
This species has a metallic sheen that changes its color depending on the lighting and mood. Their flat bodies give them a somewhat spherical look when viewed from the side. The dorsal fins resemble equilateral triangles that are slanted and start at the highest point of the body.
III. Is this fish species peaceful or hostile?
Temperament to its own species otherwise peaceful.
IV. Species compatibility
- Oscar
- Chisel-tooth cichlid
- Chocolate Cichlid
- Firemouth cichlid
V. How to feed this species?
Although this species is mostly a herbivore in the natural, it is not picky when kept in captivity. Use cichlid pellets of good quality as the main food source. Add meaty dishes like prawns, mussels, and white fish to this. Spirulina or algae wafers, which are forms of vegetable matter, should play a significant role in the diet.