Astatheros Altifrons

[phishes]

I recently bought one and I was lookig for more info or tips on keeping them. I was looking for any info or experiences.
Thanks in advance.

[chc]

Really interesting species. What are you keeping him with? They can be bullied by some of the more boisterous species of cichlids.

Altifrons are sand sifters. As such, they need a substrate of fine sand, fine enough to be expelled through their gills. You can throw in a handful or two of larger gravel to make things look more natural, but in nature these fish sift sand and mud all day long. They really feel much more comfortable when able to exhibit this natural behavior.

When feeding, it's important to feed very small sinking pellets since they will allow the fish to sift them from the substrate (just as they sift tiny invertebrates and the like in nature). They may learn to eat from the surface, but they'll be more comfortable with sinking or mid-layer foods. You can mix in some brine shrimp (look for the spirulina enhanced type) or mysis shrimp every now and then if you like, but it's not really necessary if you use one of the truly premium pellets.

The best way to keep these fish is to mix them with half a dozen to a dozen "dither" fish. They'll feel much more comfortable in the presence of a school of Buenos Aires Tetras or the like. Altifrons are definitely not one of the cichlid thugs, so avoid trying to mix them with the real bullies except in giant tanks, but they do enjoy the company of other fish in the right setting.

Altis can be rough on each other if the group is small (say, less than six altifrons) or if the tank isn't large enough. I know you just bought one, but if you ever want a pair, it's best just to get a group and let them pair off.

[Mikeinco]

Out of all the fish in that group the Altifrons is my favorite. Love the yellow lips when mature. Mine is only aggressive with other Altifrons and is actually pretty mellow for the most part. Beautiful fish and like some have said they love to sift so a sand sub. is the way to go with this interesting fish.

[phishes]

Really interesting species. What are you keeping him with? They can be bullied by some of the more boisterous species of cichlids.

Altifrons are sand sifters. As such, they need a substrate of fine sand, fine enough to be expelled through their gills. You can throw in a handful or two of larger gravel to make things look more natural, but in nature these fish sift sand and mud all day long. They really feel much more comfortable when able to exhibit this natural behavior.

When feeding, it's important to feed very small sinking pellets since they will allow the fish to sift them from the substrate (just as they sift tiny invertebrates and the like in nature). They may learn to eat from the surface, but they'll be more comfortable with sinking or mid-layer foods. You can mix in some brine shrimp (look for the spirulina enhanced type) or mysis shrimp every now and then if you like, but it's not really necessary if you use one of the truly premium pellets.

The best way to keep these fish is to mix them with half a dozen to a dozen "dither" fish. They'll feel much more comfortable in the presence of a school of Buenos Aires Tetras or the like. Altifrons are definitely not one of the cichlid thugs, so avoid trying to mix them with the real bullies except in giant tanks, but they do enjoy the company of other fish in the right setting.

Altis can be rough on each other if the group is small (say, less than six altifrons) or if the tank isn't large enough. I know you just bought one, but if you ever want a pair, it's best just to get a group and let them pair off.

Thanks! The one I have is in a 72g and sand substrait. This one seems to be the most aggressive cichlid in the tank. I have noticed that food must drop to the bottom for the alti to eat. it is mixed w/ a few swordtails, a. rostratus, h. deppi, t. mixteco, and c. sajica. They are all 2'' and growing them out a bit before I can mix w/ some my adult CA's-a. robertsoni. t. meeki, and t. ellioti. All of these fish will be going in a 180g once the grow outs are big enough.
What about size, sexing, and diet (have been feeding crushed cichlid pellets, blood worms, algae wafers, and sinking flake food)?

[newworld]

cool fish i had them a few times and spawned them, i found them to be very aggressive with their own kind, and they buried the eggs with sand, not your everyday central american....

[rolandmartens]

Ecology: This species was collected in waters of low to moderate current velocity be­tween 20 and 400 m elevation. They live in creeks and sandy or rocky rivers at tempera­tures of 22 to 29° C. They eat aquatic insects such as diptera larvae and ephemeroptera and reach about 130 mm in length.

Distribution: The geographic range is very reduced on the Pacific versant, from the Rio Térraba and Coto drainages of Costa Rica to the Río Chiriqui system, Panama. In Costa Rica it is an uncommon species, little collected.

[phishes]

Here's a pic.

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo292/abbydog/100_1879.jpg?t=1291500085

Off to the right. The other cichlid is a. rostratus.

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo292/abbydog/100_1885.jpg?t=1291500239