Etroplus Maculatus
Etroplus maculatus is commonly called the "orange chromide," is sometimes very shy and timid and may refuse to eat several types of dry foods. It is a small fish for a cichlid, seldom getting larger than 3 inches. As sex is rather difficult to distinguish and mated pairs are hard to obtain, the group pairing plan is about the only way to get a decently mated pair. This method is further advantageous in that the orange chromide will breed in a community tank, as long as the other fish are not too large. The mother fish will usually tend the young while the father tries to keep strangers away from them.
The fish will spawn on the top part of the inside of a flowerpot or on the underside of the slate if the slate is laid against the side of the tank rather than being placed flat against the sand. They are a nice fish to keep in the community tank because of their size and breeding habits.
