CareThe Rainbow Cichlid is known from the River Patuca in Honduras to the River Matina in Costa Rica on the eastern (Atlantic) slope of Central America. On the western (Pacific) slope it is found in the River Guasaule in Nicaragua and on to the Tempisque and Bebedero Rivers in Costa Rica. In the 1990s, it was discovered that this species had been introduced to a hot spring at Heviz in Zala County, Hungary, where it has become firmly established. Its usual natural habitat is the weedy margins of lakes and swampy areas with muddy substrates, where it feeds on algae filaments and detritus. During dry periods, it is known to tolerate the high temperatures of small, diminishing water bodies, where it has been recorded surviving at up to 36 deg C! However, this is somewhat extreme and we suggest maintaining this species at a steady temperature somewhere between 22-28 deg C in the home aquarium. The tank should be a minimum of 3ft long for a pair of these fish, and larger if a group is being maintained. As these fish prefer a muddy substrate, it is best to choose sand rather than gravel for the bottom of the aquarium. Provide shelter in the form of driftwood and smooth rocky caves/pipes and flower pots, along with some areas of robust planting for additional cover. Filtration should be efficient, with a moderate amount of water flow, but