{"product_id":"chocolate-cichlid","title":"Chocolate Cichlid","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-end=\"576\" data-start=\"48\"\u003eThe Chocolate Cichlid is a peaceful South American cichlid admired for its gentle temperament, intelligent personality, and attractive earthy colouration. Juveniles typically display warm brown tones, while mature fish often develop beautiful bronze, gold, green, or reddish iridescence depending on mood and lighting. Despite their large adult size, Chocolate Cichlids are considered one of the more placid large cichlid species, making them an excellent choice for spacious community aquariums with similarly sized tank mates.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"820\" data-start=\"578\"\u003eThese curious fish quickly recognise their owners and often interact during aquarium maintenance and feeding. With proper care and a well-maintained aquarium, Chocolate Cichlids become impressive centrepiece fish that can live for many years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"862\" data-end=\"892\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePhysical Characteristics:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-end=\"896\" data-start=\"857\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"872\" data-start=\"857\"\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"875\" data-start=\"872\"\u003eApproximately 25–30cm\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"980\" data-start=\"898\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"913\" data-start=\"898\"\u003eBody Shape:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"916\" data-start=\"913\"\u003eDeep-bodied, laterally compressed cichlid with a rounded profile\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1108\" data-start=\"982\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"998\" data-start=\"982\"\u003eColouration:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1001\" data-start=\"998\"\u003eChocolate brown with bronze, gold, green, or reddish iridescent highlights that intensify with age and mood\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1260\" data-start=\"1110\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1132\" data-start=\"1110\"\u003eSexual Dimorphism:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1135\" data-start=\"1132\"\u003eMales are generally larger with more elongated dorsal and anal fins, while females are typically slightly smaller and rounder\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1320\" data-start=\"1262\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1275\" data-start=\"1262\"\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1278\" data-start=\"1275\"\u003eApproximately 10–15 years with proper care\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1094\" data-end=\"1123\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Temperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1127\" data-end=\"1143\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-end=\"1402\" data-start=\"1356\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1372\" data-start=\"1356\"\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1375\" data-start=\"1372\"\u003ePeaceful to semi-aggressive\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1448\" data-start=\"1404\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1423\" data-start=\"1404\"\u003eSwimming Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1426\" data-start=\"1423\"\u003eMiddle to lower levels\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1576\" data-start=\"1450\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1471\" data-start=\"1450\"\u003eSocial Behaviour:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1474\" data-start=\"1471\"\u003eGenerally peaceful for a large cichlid and can be kept with other similarly sized, non-aggressive fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1695\" data-start=\"1578\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1605\" data-start=\"1578\"\u003eRecommended Group Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1608\" data-start=\"1605\"\u003eBest kept singly, as a compatible pair, or in a large aquarium with suitable tank mates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1472\" data-end=\"1499\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAquarium Requirements:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-end=\"1806\" data-start=\"1729\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1751\" data-start=\"1729\"\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1754\" data-start=\"1751\"\u003e450 litres recommended for an adult or breeding pair\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1840\" data-start=\"1808\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1830\" data-start=\"1808\"\u003eWater Temperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1833\" data-start=\"1830\"\u003e24–28°C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1865\" data-start=\"1842\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1855\" data-start=\"1842\"\u003epH Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1858\" data-start=\"1855\"\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1918\" data-start=\"1867\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1886\" data-start=\"1867\"\u003eWater Hardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1889\" data-start=\"1886\"\u003eSoft to moderately hard water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1956\" data-start=\"1920\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1935\" data-start=\"1920\"\u003eWater Flow:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1938\" data-start=\"1935\"\u003eGentle to moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2001\" data-start=\"1958\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1972\" data-start=\"1958\"\u003eSubstrate:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1975\" data-start=\"1972\"\u003eFine sand or smooth gravel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2090\" data-start=\"2003\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2017\" data-start=\"2003\"\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"2020\" data-start=\"2017\"\u003eProvide driftwood, large rocks, sturdy plants, and open swimming areas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2132\" data-start=\"2092\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2105\" data-start=\"2092\"\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"2108\" data-start=\"2105\"\u003eLow to moderate lighting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1806\" data-end=\"1820\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-end=\"2225\" data-start=\"2149\"\u003eChocolate Cichlids are omnivores that thrive on a varied, high-quality diet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-end=\"2225\" data-start=\"2149\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eHigh-quality cichlid pellets, sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, krill, earthworms, and occasional vegetable matter such as peas or spinach\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-end=\"2225\" data-start=\"2149\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2419\" data-start=\"2405\"\u003eFrequency:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"2422\" data-start=\"2419\"\u003eOffer 1–2 meals daily in portions that can be consumed within a few minutes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2053\" data-end=\"2072\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-end=\"2682\" data-start=\"2524\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2548\" data-start=\"2524\"\u003eSuitable Tank Mates:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"2551\" data-start=\"2548\"\u003eSeverums, Geophagus, larger peaceful tetras, silver dollars, peaceful catfish, and other similarly tempered South American cichlids\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2823\" data-start=\"2684\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2707\" data-start=\"2684\"\u003eAvoid Housing With:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"2710\" data-start=\"2707\"\u003eSmall fish that may be viewed as food, highly aggressive Central American cichlids, or overly territorial species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2316\" data-end=\"2330\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-end=\"2882\" data-start=\"2844\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2862\" data-start=\"2844\"\u003eSpawning Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"2865\" data-start=\"2862\"\u003eSubstrate spawner\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2910\" data-start=\"2884\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2899\" data-start=\"2884\"\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"2902\" data-start=\"2899\"\u003eModerate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3119\" data-start=\"2912\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2922\" data-start=\"2912\"\u003eNotes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"2925\" data-start=\"2922\"\u003ePairs form strong bonds and will lay eggs on flat rocks or other solid surfaces. Both parents actively guard the eggs and fry, displaying excellent parental care throughout the breeding process.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2558\" data-end=\"2586\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Considerations:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-end=\"3232\" data-start=\"3154\"\u003eRequires excellent filtration and regular water changes due to its adult size.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3305\" data-start=\"3234\"\u003eProvide ample swimming space along with hiding places to reduce stress.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3399\" data-start=\"3307\"\u003eGenerally more peaceful than many large cichlids but may become territorial during breeding.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3458\" data-start=\"3401\"\u003eCan become tame and often recognises its owner over time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e*Product Photo is for reference only. Exact fish may vary in size and colour\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Live Fish","offers":[{"title":"1 x","offer_id":59584017367326,"sku":"BK TK57","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2074\/2485\/files\/chocolate-cichlids.webp?v=1783546343","url":"https:\/\/www.petessentialswarehouse.co.nz\/products\/chocolate-cichlid","provider":"Pet Essentials Warehouse","version":"1.0","type":"link"}