🐟 Rio Chacamax Cichlid – (Vieja bifasciata) – Captive-Bred Usumacinta Locality Cichlid

The Rio Chacamax Cichlid (Vieja bifasciata) is a large, colorful Central American cichlid representing a distinctive locality form from the:

RIO CHACAMAX – USUMACINTA DRAINAGE, MEXICO

Mature specimens can develop a spectacular combination of:

• Rose-red
• Pink
• Yellow
• Gold
• Olive
• Bronze
• Black
• Turquoise highlights

with the characteristic dark lateral markings associated with Vieja bifasciata.

The Rio Chacamax name is important because it identifies the geographic locality line of this fish.

RIO CHACAMAX IS NOT A SEPARATE SPECIES OR SUBSPECIES

The correct scientific name remains:

Vieja bifasciata

This is a large, powerful Central American cichlid that requires substantial permanent aquarium space, strong filtration, a plant-rich diet, and carefully selected tankmates.

This listing is for:

CAPTIVE-BRED RIO CHACAMAX VIEJA BIFASCIATA

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🔎 Quick Facts – Rio Chacamax Cichlid

• 📛 Common Name: Rio Chacamax Cichlid
• 📛 Other Names: Rio Chacamax Vieja, Twoband Cichlid, Red-Spotted Vieja
• 🔬 Scientific Name: Vieja bifasciata
• 📚 Older Scientific Names: Heros bifasciatus, Cichlasoma bifasciatum, Paraneetroplus bifasciatus
• 🐟 Family: Cichlidae
• 🧬 Genus: Vieja
• 🌿 Stock: Captive Bred
• 📏 Current Size: Approximately 9–10 inches
• 📍 Locality Line: Rio Chacamax
• 🌊 Drainage: Rio Usumacinta Basin
• 🇲🇽 Rio Chacamax Locality: Mexico
• 🌎 Species Range: Mexico and Guatemala
• 🌊 Broader Native Range: Grijalva and Usumacinta River basins
• 💧 Water Type: Freshwater
• 📏 Scientific Maximum: Approximately 30 cm / 11.8 inches standard length
• 📏 Adult Planning Size: Approximately 12–14 inches total length
• 🏠 Recommended Aquarium for One Adult: Approximately 125 gallons or larger
• 👫 Adult Pair: Approximately 150–180+ gallons preferred
• 🐠 Large Cichlid Community: 180+ gallons strongly preferred
• 📐 Recommended Length: Approximately 6 feet or longer
• 🌡️ Temperature: Approximately 76–84°F
• 💧 pH: Approximately 6.8–8.0
• 💨 Oxygenation: Good to High
• 🌊 Water Movement: Low to Moderate
• 🍽️ Diet: Herbivorous-Leaning Omnivore
• 🌿 Vegetable / Plant Foods: Very Important
• 🟢 Algae / Biofilm: Natural dietary component
• 🦐 Animal Protein: Supplemental
• 💩 Bioload: High
• 😠 Temperament: Territorial / Semi-Aggressive to Aggressive
• ⚠️ Breeding Aggression: Strong
• 👫 Pair Bond: Monogamous pair-forming cichlid
• 🥚 Breeding: Open-Substrate Spawner
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Parental Care: Biparental
• ⭐ Care Level: Intermediate
• 🌎 IUCN Status: Data Deficient
• 📦 Current Shipping Requirement: Special Reusable Shipping Bag

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📍 Rio Chacamax Is a Locality – Not a Separate Species

The name:

RIO CHACAMAX

identifies where this particular aquarium lineage of Vieja bifasciata originates.

It does not mean:

• A different species
• A recognized subspecies
• A hybrid
• A color morph created in captivity

The correct scientific identity remains:

Vieja bifasciata

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🧬 Why Locality Matters

Vieja bifasciata occurs across portions of several Central American river systems and can show noticeable geographic variation in:

• Color
• Pattern
• Body shape
• Amount of red coloration
• Dark lateral markings
• Adult appearance

Aquarists have maintained several locality lines, including fish associated with:

• Rio Chacamax
• Rio Mizol-Ha
• Rio Candelaria
• Rio Azufres
• Rio Tulijá
• Rio Puyacatengo
• Rio Teapa
• Lagoons within the greater drainage

For fish sold as:

RIO CHACAMAX

the locality should be preserved whenever possible.

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⚠️ Keep the Rio Chacamax Line Pure

If breeding this fish as a locality form:

DO NOT MIX IT WITH OTHER VIEJA BIFASCIATA LOCALITY LINES

and then sell the offspring as:

PURE RIO CHACAMAX

Even though the fish may belong to the same species, mixing localities destroys the geographic lineage.

Maintain records of:

• Supplier
• Breeder
• Parent fish
• Locality designation

whenever possible.

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🌎 Native Distribution of Vieja bifasciata

The species Vieja bifasciata is native to the Atlantic slope of Central America within the:

GRIJALVA AND USUMACINTA RIVER BASINS

of:

• 🇲🇽 Mexico
• 🇬🇹 Guatemala

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🌊 Rio Chacamax

The Rio Chacamax belongs to the:

RIO USUMACINTA DRAINAGE

and represents one of the best-known aquarium localities for this species.

Photographed and documented Rio Chacamax specimens show the distinctive:

• Red or pink head
• Yellow-gold body
• Large black lateral markings
• Dark mottling
• Strong adult coloration

associated with this locality line.

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⚠️ The “Rio Nututun” Confusion

Older aquarium literature sometimes refers to:

RIO NUTUTUN

when discussing Chacamax Vieja bifasciata.

That name appears to have resulted from confusion involving:

NUTUTUN

a location associated with lodging along the Rio Chacamax.

For the aquarium locality:

RIO CHACAMAX

is the clearer designation.

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🎨 Appearance

A mature Rio Chacamax Vieja bifasciata can become extremely colorful.

Depending on:

• Sex
• Age
• Dominance
• Breeding condition
• Genetics
• Mood

the fish may display:

• Pink
• Rose-red
• Crimson
• Yellow
• Gold
• Bronze
• Olive
• Turquoise
• Black

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🌹 Red & Pink Head Coloration

One of the most attractive characteristics of mature Chacamax fish is the development of:

ROSE-PINK TO RED COLORATION

across portions of the:

• Forehead
• Face
• Gill covers
• Front half of the body

Dominant adults can become especially colorful.

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🖤 Dark Lateral Pattern

The species name:

bifasciata

refers to the characteristic dark banding or two-band appearance.

Large black markings can occur across the:

• Midbody
• Rear body
• Caudal peduncle

and may appear as:

• Broad bands
• Connected blotches
• Irregular patches

rather than two perfectly straight lines.

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🌈 Color Changes With Mood

Like many large Central American cichlids, Vieja bifasciata can change appearance dramatically.

Color may intensify during:

• Territorial displays
• Courtship
• Breeding
• Dominance interactions

A stressed fish may become:

• Pale
• Gray
• Brown
• Washed out

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⚠️ Adult Color Cannot Be Guaranteed

Exact adult coloration will vary between individuals.

Do not guarantee that every Rio Chacamax specimen will develop identical:

• Red coloration
• Black patterning
• Yellow coloration
• Body markings

Genetics and sex strongly influence appearance.

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📏 Adult Size

FishBase documents Vieja bifasciata reaching:

30 CM / APPROXIMATELY 11.8 INCHES STANDARD LENGTH

Standard length:

DOES NOT INCLUDE THE FULL TAIL FIN

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📏 Practical Adult Planning Size

Large aquarium specimens can reach approximately:

12–14 INCHES TOTAL LENGTH

especially mature males.

For permanent housing:

PLAN FOR A 12–14 INCH, DEEP-BODIED CICHLID

rather than simply planning around length alone.

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⚠️ Body Mass Matters

A 12-inch Vieja is much heavier and deeper-bodied than many narrow-bodied fish of the same length.

Adult fish develop:

• Deep bodies
• Large heads
• Powerful jaws
• Thick musculature

and need significant swimming space.

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🏠 Aquarium Size

For one adult:

125 GALLONS OR LARGER

is a responsible long-term recommendation.

For a compatible adult pair:

150–180+ GALLONS

is preferred.

For a large Central American cichlid community:

180+ GALLONS

or considerably larger may be required.

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📐 Six-Foot Aquarium Preferred

A mature Rio Chacamax Vieja bifasciata should ideally be maintained in an aquarium:

APPROXIMATELY 6 FEET LONG OR LONGER

This provides:

• Swimming space
• Territorial separation
• Room for décor
• Better escape distances
• More stable water volume

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↔️ Aquarium Width Matters

Because the species is:

• Deep-bodied
• Large
• Territorial

front-to-back aquarium width is especially valuable.

A:

LONG + WIDE AQUARIUM

is much more useful than a narrow tall tank.

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🪨 Aquarium Setup

A suitable setup may include:

• Sand
• Smooth gravel
• Large rocks
• Heavy driftwood
• Open swimming areas
• Large visual barriers
• Strong filtration

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⚠️ Secure the Décor

Large Vieja are powerful fish.

They may:

• Dig
• Move substrate
• Push rocks
• Rearrange decorations
• Uproot plants

Make sure heavy rocks and structures cannot:

COLLAPSE OR TRAP THE FISH

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🏖️ Substrate

A soft:

• Sand
• Fine gravel

substrate works particularly well.

The fish may dig or move substrate while:

• Feeding
• Establishing territory
• Preparing spawning areas

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🌿 Planted Aquariums

This is generally:

NOT AN IDEAL SPECIES FOR A DELICATE PLANTED AQUARIUM

Vieja bifasciata naturally consumes substantial plant material and may:

• Eat leaves
• Uproot plants
• Dig around roots
• Move décor

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🌊 Natural Habitat

In the wild, Vieja bifasciata occurs in:

• Lakes
• Lagoons
• River pools
• Lower river valleys
• Main river channels

often in:

CALMER OR SLOW-TO-MODERATELY FLOWING WATER

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🌊 Do Not Create an Extreme Torrent

Unlike high-flow river plecos:

RIO CHACAMAX VIEJA BIFASCIATA DOES NOT REQUIRE VIOLENT CURRENT

Moderate circulation is sufficient.

The important goals are:

• Good oxygenation
• Strong filtration
• Waste removal
• Stable water quality

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🌡️ Temperature

A practical long-term range is:

76–84°F

The species is tropical and can tolerate somewhat warmer water, but maintaining:

78–82°F

works well for many aquarium fish.

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💧 Water Parameters

A practical aquarium range is:

• 🌡️ Temperature: Approximately 76–84°F
• 💧 pH: Approximately 6.8–8.0
• 💨 Oxygenation: Good to High
• 🌊 Water Movement: Low to Moderate
• ☠️ Ammonia: 0 ppm
• ☠️ Nitrite: 0 ppm
• 🔄 Nitrate: Keep reasonably low

Stable conditions are more important than constantly adjusting the pH.

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💩 High Bioload

Large Central American cichlids produce:

SUBSTANTIAL WASTE

A 9–14 inch Vieja requires powerful filtration.

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💩 Filtration

Recommended systems can include:

• Large canister filters
• Sump filtration
• High-capacity biological filtration
• Strong mechanical filtration
• Prefilters

Maintain:

AMMONIA = 0

and:

NITRITE = 0

at all times.

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🔄 Water Changes

Regular substantial water changes are strongly recommended.

The exact schedule depends on:

• Aquarium volume
• Fish size
• Feeding
• Stocking
• Filtration

Large Vieja respond very well to:

CLEAN, FRESH WATER

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🍽️ Diet – Herbivorous-Leaning Omnivore

One of the most important husbandry points is diet.

In nature, Vieja bifasciata feeds heavily on:

BOTTOM DETRITUS AND VEGETABLE MATTER

and consumes plant material ranging from:

• Algal growth
• Aquatic vegetation
• Plant debris
• Terrestrial plant material

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🌿 Plant Foods Should Be Important

A captive diet should contain substantial:

VEGETABLE / PLANT-BASED NUTRITION

Suitable foods include:

• High-quality vegetable-based cichlid pellets
• Spirulina pellets
• Algae-containing foods
• Quality omnivore pellets with plant content

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🥬 Fresh Plant Foods

Suitable supplemental foods may include:

• Spinach
• Romaine
• Peas
• Zucchini
• Squash
• Green beans
• Other appropriate greens

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🍽️ Quality Pellets

A high-quality pellet designed for:

LARGE HERBIVOROUS OR OMNIVOROUS CICHLIDS

can form the foundation of the captive diet.

Rotate foods for nutritional variety.

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🦐 Animal Protein – Supplemental

Animal and insect foods can be offered in moderation.

Suitable options include:

• Mysis shrimp
• Krill
• Insect-based foods
• Brine shrimp
• Quality omnivore foods

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⚠️ Avoid an Excessively Meat-Heavy Diet

Do not maintain Vieja bifasciata primarily on:

• Shrimp
• Beef heart
• Feeder fish
• Large amounts of high-fat animal protein
• Extremely protein-heavy pellets

Its natural diet contains a:

STRONG PLANT AND DETRITUS COMPONENT

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🚫 Avoid Feeder Fish

Live feeder fish are unnecessary.

They can introduce:

• Parasites
• Bacteria
• Disease
• Poor nutritional balance

Quality prepared foods provide safer nutrition.

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😠 Temperament

Adult Vieja bifasciata should be considered:

TERRITORIAL

and potentially:

AGGRESSIVE

especially toward:

• Other large cichlids
• Similar-shaped fish
• Conspecifics
• Rivals during breeding

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⚠️ Individual Personality Varies

Some adults are relatively manageable.

Others can become:

EXTREMELY DOMINANT

Aquarium size, tankmate selection, sex, and individual temperament all matter.

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🐠 Tankmates

Potential tankmates in a sufficiently large aquarium may include carefully selected:

• Other large Central American cichlids
• Robust South American cichlids
• Large catfish
• Large schooling fish

However:

COMPATIBILITY IS NEVER GUARANTEED

with large territorial cichlids.

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⚠️ Avoid Small Tankmates

Do not maintain large adult Vieja bifasciata with:

• Tiny tetras
• Small livebearers
• Small bottom dwellers
• Delicate fish

that may be:

• Injured
• Bullied
• Outcompeted

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👥 Juveniles vs. Adults

Groups of juveniles may initially coexist.

As the fish mature:

AGGRESSION USUALLY INCREASES

Aquarists may need to:

• Separate individuals
• Remove bullied fish
• Establish compatible pairs

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♂️ Male vs. Female

Sex differences become more noticeable with maturity.

Mature Males

Usually:

• Grow larger
• Become more heavily built
• Develop more intense coloration
• Develop longer fin extensions
• May develop a nuchal hump

Mature Females

Generally:

• Remain somewhat smaller
• Have a rounder abdominal profile during breeding condition
• May show less exaggerated fin development

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⚠️ Juvenile Sexing

Juveniles can be difficult to sex accurately.

Unless a fish is confidently identified:

SELL AS UNSEXED

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💕 Pair Formation

Vieja bifasciata is a:

MONOGAMOUS PAIR-FORMING CICHLID

A compatible male and female may establish a strong pair bond.

However:

DO NOT SIMPLY PLACE TWO LARGE ADULTS TOGETHER AND ASSUME THEY WILL PAIR

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⚠️ Pair Compatibility Is Critical

An incompatible adult pair can seriously injure or kill one another.

Safer approaches include:

• Raising several juveniles together
• Allowing natural pair formation
• Using dividers during introductions
• Closely observing behavior

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🥚 Breeding – Open-Substrate Spawner

Vieja bifasciata is an:

OPEN-SUBSTRATE SPAWNER

The pair normally selects and cleans a:

• Flat rock
• Large stone
• Hard surface
• Prepared area of substrate

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🧹 Spawning Preparation

Before spawning, the adults may:

• Clean rocks
• Dig pits
• Move substrate
• Defend a large territory
• Intensify coloration

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🥚 Eggs

FishBase references approximately:

500 EGGS

for the species.

Actual clutch size can vary substantially according to:

• Female size
• Age
• Conditioning
• Genetics

No exact egg count should be guaranteed.

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👨‍👩‍👧 Biparental Care

Both parents participate in brood defense.

The pair may:

• Guard the eggs
• Fan the clutch
• Remove failed eggs
• Defend larvae
• Protect free-swimming fry

This is:

BIPARENTAL CARE

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⚠️ Breeding Aggression

A breeding pair can become dramatically more aggressive.

They may attempt to control a very large portion of the aquarium.

Tankmates that were previously tolerated may suddenly be:

• Chased
• Injured
• Trapped in corners

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🏠 Breeding Pairs Need Space

For an adult breeding pair:

150–180+ GALLONS

is strongly preferred.

Even larger aquariums may be necessary if other large fish remain in the tank.

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👶 Fry

Once free swimming, fry can receive:

• Quality powdered cichlid food
• Baby brine shrimp
• Crushed spirulina foods
• Finely crushed omnivore pellets

As they grow, progressively increase food size.

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🌿 Introduce Plant Foods Early

Because adults naturally consume substantial vegetation, young fish should also become accustomed to:

• Spirulina
• Vegetable-containing pellets
• Plant-based foods

as they grow.

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🧬 Preserve the Rio Chacamax Locality

This is particularly important for this listing.

The fish is being sold as:

RIO CHACAMAX VIEJA BIFASCIATA

If breeding:

• Keep the locality designation
• Maintain parent records
• Avoid mixing other V. bifasciata localities
• Do not cross with other Vieja species

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🚨 Avoid Hybridization

Species within the Central American cichlid group can hybridize in captivity.

Avoid deliberately crossing Rio Chacamax V. bifasciata with:

• Vieja melanura
• Vieja fenestrata
• Vieja hartwegi
• Other Vieja
• Designer cichlid hybrids

if maintaining a pure Rio Chacamax line.

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⚠️ Hybrid Offspring Must Be Labeled

If an accidental cross occurs:

THE OFFSPRING MUST BE SOLD AS HYBRIDS

Do not label mixed-parent fish as:

PURE RIO CHACAMAX

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🌎 Conservation Status

Vieja bifasciata is currently classified as:

DATA DEFICIENT

on the IUCN Red List.

The assessment dates to:

2018

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❓ What Does Data Deficient Mean?

Data Deficient does:

NOT

mean:

• Extinct
• Endangered
• Safe
• Threatened

It means available information was insufficient to make a confident global extinction-risk classification.

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⚠️ Locality Conservation Matters

Even when a species occurs across more than one drainage, individual locality populations can contain distinctive:

• Genetics
• Color
• Pattern
• Adaptations

Preserving captive locality lines such as:

RIO CHACAMAX

helps maintain that geographic diversity within the aquarium hobby.

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🌎 Never Release Aquarium Cichlids

Large cichlids can establish invasive populations in suitable warm climates.

Never release Vieja bifasciata into:

• Rivers
• Lakes
• Ponds
• Canals
• Streams
• Springs
• Storm drains

If permanent housing becomes impossible:

• Rehome the fish
• Contact an aquarium store
• Contact an experienced large-cichlid keeper
• Contact an aquatic rescue

NEVER RELEASE AQUARIUM FISH INTO THE WILD

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⭐ Why Keep a Rio Chacamax Vieja bifasciata?

The Rio Chacamax Cichlid combines:

• 🌹 Beautiful rose-red adult coloration
• 💛 Gold and yellow tones
• 🖤 Dramatic black lateral markings
• 🌈 Strong color changes with maturity
• 🇲🇽 Authentic Mexican locality heritage
• 🌊 Rio Usumacinta drainage origin
• 📏 Impressive 12–14 inch adult potential
• 🌿 Interesting herbivorous-leaning feeding behavior
• 💕 Strong pair bonding
• 🥚 Open-substrate spawning
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Biparental care
• 🧬 Valuable locality-line identity

into an impressive show cichlid for aquarists prepared for its adult size and personality.

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⚠️ Important Considerations

Before purchasing a Rio Chacamax Cichlid:

• The correct scientific name is Vieja bifasciata.
• Rio Chacamax identifies a locality line, not a separate species.
• The Rio Chacamax belongs to the Usumacinta drainage in Mexico.
• The broader species occurs in the Grijalva and Usumacinta basins of Mexico and Guatemala.
• Preserve the Rio Chacamax locality when breeding.
• Do not mix locality lines if offspring will be sold as Rio Chacamax.
• This listing is for captive-bred fish.
• Current specimens are approximately 9–10 inches.
• FishBase documents 30 cm / approximately 11.8 inches standard length.
• Standard length excludes the full tail.
• Plan for approximately 12–14 inches total adult size.
• Provide approximately 125 gallons or larger for one adult.
• Provide approximately 150–180+ gallons for a pair.
• Use approximately 180+ gallons for large mixed-cichlid communities.
• A 6-foot or longer aquarium is strongly preferred.
• Maintain approximately 76–84°F.
• Maintain approximately pH 6.8–8.0.
• Provide good oxygenation.
• Extreme current is unnecessary.
• Use powerful filtration.
• Maintain ammonia and nitrite at zero.
• Perform regular substantial water changes.
• Feed a strongly plant-oriented omnivorous diet.
• Provide spirulina and vegetable-containing foods regularly.
• Animal protein should be supplemental.
• Avoid an excessively meat-heavy diet.
• Expect digging and plant damage.
• Expect territorial behavior.
• Breeding pairs can become extremely aggressive.
• Vieja bifasciata is a monogamous pair-forming cichlid.
• It is an open-substrate spawner.
• Both parents defend the brood.
• Avoid hybridizing Rio Chacamax fish with other Vieja.
• The species is currently listed as Data Deficient by the IUCN.
• Never release aquarium fish into natural waterways.

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🧬 Taxonomy

The currently accepted scientific name is:

Vieja bifasciata (Steindachner, 1864)

Classification:

• Order: Cichliformes
• Family: Cichlidae
• Genus: Vieja
• Species: bifasciata

Historical scientific combinations include:

• Heros bifasciatus
• Cichlasoma bifasciatum
• Theraps bifasciatum
• Paraneetroplus bifasciatus

For this product, use:

Rio Chacamax Cichlid – (Vieja bifasciata)

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📍 Locality Disclaimer

The term:

RIO CHACAMAX

identifies a geographic aquarium lineage within the species Vieja bifasciata.

It does not represent a formally recognized:

• Species
• Subspecies
• Hybrid
• Artificial color morph

When maintaining or breeding locality fish, preserve:

• Rio Chacamax identification
• Supplier information
• Parent records
• Breeding records

and avoid mixing the lineage with other Vieja bifasciata populations if the offspring will continue to be represented as Rio Chacamax.

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🚚 Live Fish Shipping

Live fish are professionally packed for safe transport.

Shipping availability depends on:

• Fish size
• Destination
• Weather conditions
• Carrier availability
• Applicable state and local regulations

The current large Rio Chacamax Cichlids require:

A SPECIAL REUSABLE SHIPPING BAG

Larger specimens may also require:

• Larger insulated shipping boxes
• Additional water
• Heavy-duty bagging
• Multiple protective bag layers
• Specialized packing
• Airline cargo depending on fish size and destination

Please review our Shipping & Payment Information and Live Arrival Guarantee / DOA Policy before ordering.

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⚠️ Buyer Responsibility

Customers are responsible for confirming that Vieja bifasciata may legally be purchased, possessed, transported, and received in their state or local jurisdiction before ordering.

Never release aquarium fish into natural waterways.