Vieja argentea

Vieja argentea is one of the largest Vieja species, endemic to the Grijalva and Usumacinta river basins of Mexico and Guatemala. Its common name, the White Cichlid, refers to its striking metallic silver-to-white body colouration that appears almost chrome under aquarium lighting. Adults develop impressive girth and robust musculature, becoming a dominant presence in any large Central American cichlid collection. Despite its size, it is not excessively aggressive for a cichlid of this stature. It requires a very large aquarium, robust filtration, and a plant-free or hardy-plant-only setup.

Water: 22–28°C, pH 7.0–8.0, moderately hard (GH 8–18). Tank: Minimum 550L; very large open space with anchor décor of large rocks and driftwood. Feeding: Herbivore; spirulina pellets, algae wafers, blanched vegetables; large adult males need high-volume feeding. Breeding: Open substrate spawner; breeding pairs require their own large tank as aggression peaks. Compatibility: With other very large Central American cichlids; unsuitable for most community setups.