Nicaraguan Cichlid (Hypsophrys nicaraguensis) F2
Golden‑blue royalty with attitude and elegance
The Nicaraguan Cichlid is one of those species that stops people mid‑scroll. A glowing gold body, electric blue face, and that signature turquoise sheen across the flanks — it looks painted, polished, and lit from within. Confident, intelligent, and full of personality, this is a centerpiece fish that owns its space without being a terror.
Your stock is Florida‑bred, slow‑grown, and conditioned clean — no farm haze, no import stress, no mystery meds. Just strong, stable, beautifully colored fish raised the right way.
⭐ Why They’re Shed‑Level Quality
Florida‑bred — not farmed, not imported, not rushed
Deep natural coloration that only comes from clean lineage
Bold but not reckless — confident without being a tank tyrant
Pairs beautifully with medium/large peaceful cichlids
Hardy, intelligent, and interactive — a true personality fish
This is a species that looks expensive because it is premium.
🐟 Tank Vibes
Nicaraguans glide with purpose — smooth, controlled, almost regal. Give them space, structure, and clean water, and they’ll reward you with color that gets richer every month.
Perfect for hobbyists who want a showpiece without the chaos.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC) Wild populations of Hypsophrys nicaraguensis are considered stable across Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Habitat pressure exists in some regions, but the species is not currently threatened.
Your fish are F2 Florida‑bred, meaning they are the second generation from clean, established domestic lines — no wild collection, no farms, no imports, and zero impact on natural populations.
photo credit: Uncle Joe's Fish Shed
Nicaraguan Cichlid (Hypsophrys nicaraguensis)
🏠 Tank
-
55+ gallons
-
Sand or fine gravel
-
Rock + wood structure
-
Open swim lanes
-
Secure lid
💧 Water
-
76–82°F
-
pH 7.0–8.0
-
Medium–Hard
-
Weekly water changes
-
Clean water = best color
🐟 Behavior
-
Peaceful–semi‑aggressive
-
Community‑safe with similar‑sized cichlids
-
Forms natural pairs
-
Active + intelligent
🍽️ Diet
-
Omnivore
-
Pellets, flake
-
Frozen (brine, mysis, bloodworms)
-
Occasional live foods
🧬 Breeding
-
Pair forms from a group
-
Substrate/pit spawners
-
Great parents
-
Fry take crushed foods early
📝 Notes
-
F2 Shed‑bred — no farms, no imports
-
QT’d + conditioned
-
“Macaw” colors: gold, orange, turquoise
-
Juveniles are unsexed
-

