Vieja Regani - (Regan’s Cichlid)

🐟 Vieja Regani (Regan’s Cichlid)

The Regan’s Cichlid (Vieja regani) is a large, beautifully colored Central American cichlid known for its bold barring, shimmering blues and greens, and reddish/orange highlights. Native to river systems in Guatemala and Belize, this species develops a thick, muscular build and displays the confident, interactive personality typical of the Vieja genus. While not as hyper-aggressive as some Parachromis, mature specimens can still be territorial and dominant, making them best suited for experienced aquarists with spacious aquariums.

🔍 Quick Facts

• 🆔 Common Name: Regan’s Cichlid
• 🧬 Scientific Name: Vieja regani
• 🧬 Family: Cichlidae
• 🌎 Origin: Guatemala & Belize (Central America)
• 📏 Max Size: ~12–14 inches (30–35 cm)

🎨 Appearance

• 🎨 Iridescent blue, green, and turquoise scaling
• 🔴 Red, orange, or yellow accents on belly, fins, and flanks
• 🧱 Deep-bodied, laterally compressed shape typical of Vieja
• 🪶 Extended dorsal and anal fins in mature specimens
• ✨ Coloration becomes more intense with age, especially in dominant males

🕊️ Behavior & Temperament

• ⚔️ Moderately aggressive to aggressive, especially as adults
• 🧠 Highly intelligent and interactive with keepers
• 🪨 Will dig, rearrange substrate, and move decor
• 🔥 Aggression increases during breeding and territory establishment
• 🐟 Can be kept with other large, robust Central American cichlids in properly sized systems

🏡 Tank Requirements

• 🛁 Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons (125+ recommended for adults or communities)
• 🪵 Heavy rocks, driftwood, and stable hardscape
• 🌱 Plants often uprooted or eaten—use hardy or artificial options
• 💨 Strong filtration and moderate flow to handle waste
• 🧱 Provide territories and open swimming areas

💧 Water Parameters

• 🌡️ Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)
• ⚗️ pH: 7.0–8.2
• 💧 Water Type: Hard to moderately hard, slightly alkaline preferred
• 🔄 Weekly water changes recommended

🍽️ Diet

• 🥬 Omnivorous with a herbivore-leaning diet
• 🍤 High-quality cichlid pellets as staple
• 🥦 Supplement with spirulina, peas, zucchini, spinach
• 🐟 Occasional protein foods (krill, shrimp) in moderation
• ⚠️ Avoid excess fatty foods to reduce risk of bloat

📊 Overview Table

🧠 Husbandry Notes

• 👍 Excellent centerpiece fish for large Central American setups
• ⚠️ Requires strong filtration and secure decor due to digging behavior
• 🧬 Frequently used in hybrid projects because of its coloration potential
• 🐣 Breeding pairs become highly aggressive and protective