Aequidens Portalegrensis
Aequidens portalegrensis is also known as port cichlid. The port is a very popular fish and one that should be able to be successfully bred by whoever tries. It follows the breeding habits of the cichlids, though offering more tolerance to critical conditions. The ports usually can stand overcrowding, disturbances, and poor breeding conditions, while many other cichlids can't.
Aequidens portalegrensis are about 4 inches at breeding size, usually getting larger after a few successful breedings. They are very shy, and when introduced into a new aquarium they usually stay well-hidden in some obscure corner of the tank. Often they will refuse the most enticing foods for a few days, preferring to stay in complete seclusion. Even if they are the sole members of the tank and are left undisturbed, there is little chance that they will be very active for the first few days. But, as always, their hunger pains eventually change their attitude, and they finally realize that their keeper is only interested in their welfare.
Sex may be easily determined by observing the shape of the anal fin, the male's being the more pointed and flowing, while the female's is shorter and rounded. In order to see this difference easily, you must compare the two fish. After a little practice you will be able to distinguish the males from the females easily.
Care should be taken to get fish of approximately the same size if you intend to breed them. When a pair have once spawned, they usually stay mated forever. This was observed under the following conditions: out of a brood of 20 A. portalegrensis raised together, six pairs developed. The fish were matured in a community tank all together, but were removed, pair by pair, to spawn in a separate tank. When their spawning was over, they were again placed in the community tank with the other ports. Subsequent spawning always took place with the original mates. Never did any fish try to intercede with another's mate. This is an unusual characteristic for a fish to possess, since in so many cases more than one male is used for mating.
