Although the golden-headed cichlid (Nannacara aureocephalus) is a popular fish kept in aquariums, most information about its origin, breeding, and rearing is available only in specialized literature. This text focuses on clarifying the most important aspects of breeding this interesting fish and provides a comprehensive overview of its natural habitat in French Guiana. Readers will learn about the ideal conditions for breeding, how rearing takes place, and what species of fish and plants are found in its natural environment.
The golden head akarka belongs to the popular cichlids of French Guiana. Here it mostly inhabits shallow standing waters of the coastal zones of rivers and their marshy surroundings. Those who have experience with breeding the green akarka have half the battle won. The fish was discovered in 1982, described a year later, and by 1984 it was already in Berlin. Commercial imports mainly occur through French companies.
Homeland
The type locality of the fish is a tributary of the Mana River, 11 km east of Saut Sabat. The fish lives in the Mana basin up to the confluence with Oyapock. Swiss friends catch it around Cayenne, the capital of the department, which is easily accessible by car. It occurs mainly in the western part of French Guiana, although there are reports that it has also been caught in the Amapá River in Brazil. The fish mainly lives in areas of standing or gently flowing water in coastal zones, where the bottom is covered with fallen leaves. It is typical that it inhabits relatively warm black waters. STAECK (2003) found pH 4.9-5.7;
Other groups of travelers find temperatures of 22-29 °C, pH 5.8-6.8, total hardness 0-2°dGH, conductivity rarely exceeding µS/cm. In these warm and sunny waters, live the killifish Rivulus cladophorus, R.aff.geayi, the slender rasbora Copella carseventris, and the well-known Polycentrus schomburgki. On the surface float clusters of bladderwort of the genus Urticularia, and from the bottom grow various water lilies. The space between the plants and fallen leaves, roots, and stones on the bottom provides plenty of hiding places not only for akarkas. In other areas, we find somewhat different habitats with sandy or rocky bottoms, where plants are absent. In places where the current is weakened, we then find deposits of mud and fallen leaves. These are also excellent places for the life of cichlids. In these areas, we can find relatively rare catfish Corydoras aff. treitlii, and the armored catfish of the genus Ancistrus. Here we catch tetras of the genus Microcharacidium. In the water, we find numerous insect larvae, shrimp, which serve as food.
Characteristics
The name comes from the Latin aureus = golden and from the Greek kephalos = head. The fish belongs to the complex Nannacara anomala. Its body shape is relatively elongated, varying according to the place of discovery. The male reaches about 10 cm, although it can grow up to 12 cm depending on the environment (LINKE, 1984). The female is about half that size. Ideally, in the tank, fish should be kept in pairs or one male with several females. They are peaceful and calm fish; for companions, we choose similarly smaller and calmer fish, especially tetras.
Breeding
The tank size should be around 50-100 l, with a water column of up to 20 cm. We pay more attention, as with other cichlids, to a larger bottom area. Of course, there should be plenty of hiding places in the form of caves and dense plant growth. For this, parts of flowerpots or coconut shells are sufficient. Various roots are also advantageous. The bottom is covered with medium-grained sand. Breeding is otherwise similar to that of other cichlids, at a temperature of 22-26 °C, with a preference for live food; brine shrimp larvae and daphnia are welcome!
Fry
Spawning occurs in pairs, with the female taking care of the fry. It is interesting that fish from direct imports spawn in caves, while fish from European breeding spawn on flat stones or the upper sides of leaves. It is similar to the fish Crenicichla maculata. Here, it also depends on the male and the environment we provide. The number of fertilized eggs is usually around 100 or more. According to literature, it is usually up to 300. The water is quite soft, like for neon tetras. Starter food is best provided as nauplii of brine shrimp or non-biting plankton. When breeding, quality water parameters are essential, and regular water changes without excess nitrogenous substances are necessary.
Images:
- Male.
- Female.
- Beginning of spawning, the female nudges the male.
- One of the examples of how a community aquarium for golden head akarkas can function.
- They commonly live in areas where small invertebrates are found. Photo Pascal Sewer.
- More often, we keep the green akarka Nannacara anomala.
- Along with the golden head akarka, the Schomburgk's cichlid Polycentrus schomburgkii is also commonly caught.
- A very popular tetra often exported from French Guiana is Crenuchus spilurus.
- The surface layers in the habitat and in aquariums are inhabited by the pencilfish Nannostomus eques.
- Another popular pencilfish of the family Lebiasinidae, which is also commonly caught with akarkas and mostly imported as a companion to other tetras, is Nannostomus unifasciatus.
