Click here to see several more pictures of this species.

Origin: The ancestors of these Maskaheros Argentea live on the eastern slope of Southern Mexico. But now they live in aquariums all over the world.

Maximum Size: In aquariums they can grow to be about 12" long.

Behaviors: Argentea are aggressive, and they can be territorial, especially when preparing to breed, breeding, or protecting their babies.

Compatibility: These fish do best in a species only tank, but can also do well with similar cichlid species.

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Temperature: Argentea live best from about 76 to 82-degrees F. with 78 being perhaps ideal.

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Feeding: Premium Fish Food Pellets is the best food for this Cichlid to eat.

It's best to feed them small pellets when they're young, then gradually increase the size, as they grow large .

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Water Conditions: These fish can adapt to most types of water, so as usual it's best not to try to change the pH or alkalinity.

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Aquarium Size: Argentea will eventually need to live in an aquarium with at least 100-gallons of water, but of course bigger is better.

Decor: Argentea do not need gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water.

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Live plants are beautiful and improve the water quality, but this fish will usually dig plants up, so most aquariums with Argentea do not have live plants.

They like medium size gravel about the size of rice mixed with a few aquarium-safe rocks.

Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended.

Most 80-gallon aquariums have room along the back for at least two Penguin 350B Filters, and this is sort of the minimum set up for adult Vieja Argentea.

Better is a 100, 120, 150, or 200-gallon aquarium with as many Penguin 350B Filters as will fit across the back.

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The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range.

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Life Span: Argentea can live for several years.

Keep the water conditions excellent and feed them premium foods, and they may breed and produce the next generation of fish for your aquarium.

Gender: It's nearly impossible to tell males from females just by looking at them, when they're young.

But when they mature, the male will start to color up, and his fins will be more pointed than a female's, and females are smaller and plumper.

Breeding: The female stays smaller while the male grows to be large and starts to grow a hump on his head.

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Name: currently the scientific name is Maskaheros Argentea.

Variations: There may be geographic variations in the patterns of this species, but we haven't seen them.