Silver Cichlid - (Vieja argentea)

🐟 Silver Cichlid – (Vieja argentea) – Stunning Central American Cichlid

The Silver Cichlid (Vieja argentea) is a large, powerful, and visually striking Central American species known for its brilliant silver-white body covered in black speckles, which intensify with age. Native to the rivers and lagoons of southern Mexico and Guatemala, this fish develops a high-bodied profile and a nuchal hump in mature males, making it an impressive display specimen.

While beautiful, Silver Cichlids are highly territorial and can be aggressive, especially during breeding, so they are best kept with similarly large, robust tankmates.

🔎 Quick Facts – Silver Cichlid (Vieja argentea)

• 📛 Common Names: Silver Cichlid, White Cichlid, Argentea Cichlid
• 🔬 Scientific Name: Vieja argentea
• 🌍 Origin: Southern Mexico & Guatemala – Grijalva and Usumacinta River systems
• 🎨 Appearance: Shimmering silver-white body with black speckles, high body shape, males may develop a nuchal hump
• 📏 Max Size: 12–14 inches (30–35 cm)
• 💎 Rarity: Occasionally available in the aquarium trade

😇 Behavior & Temperament

• ⚔️ Territorial and aggressive, especially during breeding
• 🐟 Best kept with other large, equally robust cichlids
• 🛡 Active and commanding presence in the aquarium

🏠 Aquarium & Tank Requirements

• 📦 Minimum Tank Size: 125+ gallons for a pair, larger for community setups
• 🌊 Strong filtration to handle bio-load of large cichlids
• 🪵 Provide rocks, driftwood, and sturdy décor to create territories
• 💡 Moderate lighting to enhance silver coloration

💧 Water Parameters – Silver Cichlid Care

• 🌡️ Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)
• ⚗️ pH: 7.0–8.0
• 💧 Hardness: Moderate to hard water

🍽️ Diet – Omnivorous

• 🐟 High-quality cichlid pellets
• 🦐 Frozen shrimp, krill, and fish
• 🥬 Blanched vegetables like spinach and zucchini
• 🐛 Worms and insect larvae as occasional treats
• 🐟 Give your fish the best with the same high-quality nutrition we use every day! 🐟 At Jason’s Plecos & Cichlids, we feed a balanced mix of protein-rich and vegetable-based fish foods to keep our plecos, cichlids, and other tropical fish healthy, active, and thriving. These premium fish foods are specially formulated to enhance natural color, promote strong growth, and support long-term health—making them a trusted choice for aquarium hobbyists worldwide.
  • Fluval Bug Bites Pleco Formula
  • Fluval Bug Bites Tropical
  • Hikari Massivore Delight
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📋 Silver Cichlid Care Overview Table

✨ Highlight:

• The Silver Cichlid is a bold, high-impact display fish with a gleaming silver body and assertive personality—ideal for large, well-planned Central American cichlid setups.