Above: In this picture a young Premium Quality Sunset Nicaragua Cichlid is swimming in one of our aquariums, when one of us snapped this picture.
Click here to see several more pictures.
Comments: These are awesome fish with great coloring.
Origin: The ancestors of the Sunset came from Nicaragua and Costa Rico in Central America. But now they live in aquariums all over the world.
Maximum Size: In aquariums, they are able to grow to be about 10" long.
Behaviors: Sunsets are usually semi-aggressive, they can be territorial.
Compatibility: These fish do best in a species only tank, but can do well with similar cichlid species. Click here to read more about compatible groups of pet fish.
Temperature: Sunset live best from about 75 to 80-degrees F. with 78 being perhaps ideal.
Click here to learn about aquarium temperature, aquarium thermometers, and aquarium heaters.
Feeding: Premium Fish Food Pellets is the best food for Cichlids to eat.
It would be best to feed them small pellets when young, then gradually increase the size until they are mature.
Click here to learn more about and shop online for premium fish foods.
Water Conditions: These fish can adapt to most types of water, and so as usual it's best not to try to change the pH or alkalinity.
Click here for a lot more information about aquarium water conditions.
Aquarium Size: Sunset will eventually need to live in an aquarium with at least 80-gallons of water, but of course bigger is better.
Decor: Sunsets 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.
Click here for more about aquarium gravel.
Live plants are beautiful and improve the water quality, but this fish will usually rip plants up, so most aquariums with Sunsets 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 two Penguin 350B Filters, and this is sort of the minimum set up for Sunset.
Better is a 120, 150, or 200-gallon aquarium with as many Penguin 350B Filters as will fit across the back.
Click here to learn more about aquarium filters.
The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range.
Click here to learn more about using Lava Rocks in aquariums.
Life Span: Sunsets 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: The female is usually smaller and has more coloration than males.
Breeding: It is very hard to breed these fish in captivity, they will need rocks and caves to lay their eggs in.
Obtaining a breeding pair is very difficult.
Click here for a lot more about breeding various tropical fish in aquariums.
Popularity: The Sunsets have been a very popular aquarium fish.
Names: Their scientific name is Hypsophrys nicaraguensis.
Variations: There are several color variations of this species depending on where the fish's ancestors were collected in Nicaragua.
Click here for a lot more information about keeping and caring for Sunsets, including a picture gallery.
We hope you've enjoyed reading these comments.
DrTom - 04/11/11
All of our fish are Premium Quality Fish from the best suppliers in the world. Our fish have better health, more energy and brighter colors, as you can see in our pictures on this website.
We have 380-aquariums with lots-and-lots of popular aquarium fish plus lots-and-lots of rare fish!
We consider ourselves to be the link between the world's best sources of fish and the world's best customers. We love our work, and we are very responsible about caring for our fish and then shipping them carefully.
We also offer lots and lots of information about keeping and caring for pet fish, all from the knowledge of the Bailey Brothers, who have a combined total of 100+ years of experience as breeders, wholesalers, and retailers of pet fish!
Our fish and our customers are treated with the best of care, and we work energetically everyday to make sure every customer enjoys their new fishy friends.
When you purchase pet fish from us, you know you're receiving premium quality fish and premium quality service.
"Received my fish last night and was so pleased! They all arrived alive and appeared to be healthy.
"Once in the tank, they became very active and are now thriving in their new home.
"Beautiful fish, I asked for color and aquariumfish delivered. Processing and shipping was extremely quick."
Nevin and DrTom, the Bailey Brothers
This website is owned and operated by the Bailey Brothers, DrTom and Nevin, who've been together in the fish business for more than 50-years.
The Product Manager has been with the company for more than 35-years.
So we feel very confident that this is the fishiest crew anywhere.