Vieja zonata

Vieja zonata is distributed across the Coatzacoalcos and Papaloapan river drainages of Oaxaca and Veracruz, Mexico. It is readily identified by its bold black vertical bars on a greenish-gold body — one of the more distinctly patterned Vieja species. Compared to other members of the genus it is somewhat less aggressive and less destructive of plants, making it a more accommodating option for a large Central American community tank. It thrives in moderately hard, neutral to slightly alkaline water with a herbivore-biased diet.

Water: 22–28°C, pH 7.0–8.0, moderately hard (GH 8–18). Tank: Minimum 350L; hardy plants or artificial equivalents; rocks and wood for territory delineation. Feeding: Herbivore; spirulina pellets, blanched vegetables, cichlid flake, and occasional invertebrates. Breeding: Open substrate spawner; both parents guard eggs and fry; moderately aggressive during breeding. Compatibility: With similarly sized robust Central American cichlids; avoid very small or very aggressive species.