The BIG and BEAUTIFUL VIEJA CICHLID - CICHLID PROFILE #1

[@BenOchart]

Thank you for watching! For more fish keeping videos with tricks, tips and hacks, check out these playlists: For "My Best Fish Keeping Tips" click here: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoDLeItfzOiRG8DV-1W9qNX4 For tips and tricks with Fluval FX canister filters go here: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoC8gSuqdG1c4nOzlAMFTmiD For tips and tricks with SunSun canister filters go here: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoCiMWEpBFJFJGxTqJH_MdMg For videos on water changes and controlling nitrates, click here: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoCdEYkD0rQa0OWejFk5-bHD For videos on general canister filter maintenance, click here: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoA-6pu7lFTc_D6idLKGCE2j My Top 10 most popular videos of all time: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoBdSWOkNg1Roe2M47dP9Mva

[@ekoed]

One of the hardest things about the cichlid hobby is waiting for the juveniles to color up. It’s worth the wait though. Great video!

[@joshhopper6109]

My tank has been a cycle of males coloring up and battles for tank boss status as I couldn't buy them all at once. Red shoulder has run the tank for quite a while now my venustus has taken over. A few months ago my fusco colored up, next on the list to color up is a christyi.

[@tncharlie525]

Good morning Nashville ! Very nice Ben !!

[@robertsowinski164]

Georgeous cichlid. On my bucket list of fish

[@davidolsen3209]

Ben I know you're a African cichlid man. And you have some gorgeous ones. But it's nice seeing you with some South American cichlids. And now we can get more information on both breeds

[@BenOchart]

The variety has reinvigorated me 😀👍🏻

[@CabanasBeats]

love these fish. every type of vieja are nice

[@terryw1945]

Another great video Ben. It’s was a great idea setting up tanks of multiple types of fish. Hopefully it expands the viewer and fan base. Anyone in the fish hobby could benefit from your videos. Keep up the great work.

[@Jeffdoeswhat]

Good video as always

[@RaulsAquaticsandReptiles]

Beautiful looking fish. Great color patterns. Thxs for sharing Ben ✊🏽

[@DnASnakes]

I love that you are keeping my favorite fish. Severums. Tank looks awesome.

[@brianhahn3296]

Nice fish Ben , have me thinking about setting up a South American tank, thanks buddy for your channel and time

[@shankulow7547]

Thank you for the video, I have 4 of these but I don’t know to much about them, so thank you for the information, I love your channel

[@frankiefingerz8047]

Cant wait to see ur vieja color up ben hes gonna be beautiful!!!!!

[@BenOchart]

Me too😀👍🏻

[@XCaliKev]

👍😎 Good Morning Ben. Nice looking fish, should be awesome watching them mature, I’ll be watching

[@leo2o915]

Looks awesome Ben

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

love these fish

[@ryanrogers8211]

Thanks Ben for your informative videos.

[@BenOchart]

You are welcome😀👍🏻

[@soniareynolds4320]

Wow love the way it changed colour when it came out of cave

[@thomashenrymyers1876]

Great video keep them coming.

[@joshhopper6109]

Ive always been mesmerized by their ability to change colors so quickly. My green severums will go from striped to smooth colored within a few seconds, my venustus with his new tank boss attitude will go from a solid greenish yellow to giraffe patterns very quickly. Love the content keep it up. I like the way you speak it's very professional and fluid.

[@BenOchart]

Have you ever seen cuttlefish videos? They are the kings of color changing and camouflage. Thank you Josh. Much appreciated!

[@joshhopper6109]

Oh yes cuttle fish are amazing. Durring their mating ritual they can change one side of their bodies to show off to the females and keep the other side neutral as to not let other males see them courting the female. I'm also amazed at the Mantis shrimps eyes. Interesting creature of God's handy work. They can see in infrared, multiple color spectrum's that we can't see, their eyes being above their head and disjointed they can see in front and back at the same time... I could go on and on.

[@gyan_ki_khoj]

loved it, when it changed colour within seconds

[@HAWK1986X2]

I caught my first Vieja juvenile. My Vieja has some orange color around its head. Very very nice fish, my favorite! Here in Florida you can literally find anything in the canals and lakes.

[@BenOchart]

That’s crazy. Are they migrating north or just being released into the waterways by fish keepers?

[@HAWK1986X2]

@Ben Ochart no idea.. I just caught it when it was really a baby..I had to look very closely, at first it looks like a Mayan cichlid but the color was a bit Pale as baby vieja..so, it's very easy to confuse it as baby Mayan..

[@abubbleoff1742]

I have four geo sveni. Beautiful fish.Your tanks look great Ben!

[@tiffanyclark-grove1989]

gorgeous fish!

[@theirishman8455]

Looking forward to the Severum profile vid 👍

[@BenOchart]

Coming soon!

[@jamesc.7988]

Great video Ben! I would love to see more of these videos that put the spotlight on specific Cichlids. As a new Cichlid keeper, I find the possible choices both exciting and overwhelming but I am thoroughly enjoying learning. I have searched for specific breeds on KZbin before there really isn't much out there as far as requirements and specifications. Keep 'em coming!

[@kenji.23]

Enjoying the species profile 👍🏻

[@christiegross1453]

I really love your videos. So happy you’re getting into Veija they are my favorite this far and I do believe now that I do have both I’m definitely a South American cichlid gal. I actually started with saltwater starting up again with fresh and enjoying this so much more due to personality alone. Minus that … I do miss my porcupine and Stars and Stripes puffers.

[@donhabel1590]

Beautiful tanks Ben

[@BenOchart]

Thank you 😀👍🏻

[@lots33ml]

They really are interesting fish love it. Thanks ben later brother.

[@paulmccarthy7467]

Gorgeous fish, really enjoyed watching you got so many good things going on at the moment . Which will help so help a bigger range of fish keepers in long run. Loving the Central American. Keep up the good work Ben! look forward to hearing your decision on what’s going in your custom-made tank. I thinking discus but do miss the bigger peacocks and hap

[@BenOchart]

Thanks Paul. I’m taking my time with that new tank. After I get it up on a stand I’ll decide which way to go.

[@paulwescott4348]

Love the videos I have all the fish you have in that tank so can't wait for the next video don't worry I done all my research before getting them 😀they are in a 800l not sure us gallons as in the UK keep up the great content

[@ewf5988]

Nice starry night and gold severum

[@Evo1122]

Hello sir. Is Vieja cichlid aggressive? Can you mix them with Denison barb? Thx 🙏

[@BenOchart]

Mine is mellow though I have heard that they can be aggressive. I have not mixed with barbs so I can’t say how they would do together.

[@Evo1122]

@@BenOchart thx appreciate it sir 🙏

[@HalfManHalfCichlid]

Mine are like puppy dogs. They wait for me, I hand feed them, fun and gentle. The color changes, reds through bronze and gold are truly impressive, Need a lot of space and filtration. I do feed mine heavy protein- but using vegetable based protein sticks (spiralina, veggies sticks) and they grow faster than any cichlid I have ever owned. I am currently designing a grow out pond for my heated garage to expand my collection of peaceful central and South American cichlids. In this day and age, with access to so many cichlid species via great breeders and UPS/FEDEX, I am finding most beautiful colors, shapes and habits with new world cichlids are easy to add to one's collection.

[@BenOchart]

Consider a chocolate, I hear they are very peaceful and very pretty (a little hard to get but worth the search).

[@alejandrolisdero4531]

I never kept viejas. But it's gainning popularity here in Buenos Aires. 🐟👍🏻

[@affordableaquariumservices1663]

Beautiful fish. Are black belt cichlids different from red heads?

[@hagenhilldesign]

This video is a few years old, may we ask how large they are now?

[@BenOchart]

I ended up keeping the dominant one and selling the other one that was constantly getting chased. You can see him in my recent videos. Around 10+ inches.

[@damoncollazo1218]

I have had a Viaja in my African cichlid tank and they have lived in harmony for over 3 years now. When I got him he was about 3in, he is now about 8in. Very docile and awaome. He changes color when I do a water change as well. Great fish I love them👍

[@gazyg1973]

I had 2 of them Ben lovely fish when fully mature

[@EYECPEOPLE]

My viejas are 2yrs old when do tbey begin to change colors? 😊

[@BenOchart]

Yours should be coloring up real soon

[@asantemayo1007]

I just got one he changed from white as soon as I got him in my tank his color is amazing he’s still a little guy

[@enmanuel8454]

Beautiful fish! Have you ever kept Cuban Cichlids? and do you think I could house one as a single wet pet in a 36x15x16 aquarium?

[@oscarlover4878]

How many can I keep in a 90 gallon

[@iqbaljumani4717]

Very very beautiful ❤️❤️❤️😍😍😍

[@tkaiser2086]

Which sand do you prefer the black or white? What do you plan on using in your other tanks? Great video

[@BenOchart]

Hello Tony. I love the Caribsea "Naturals" white like I have in my SA tank but it shows every spec both on the bottom and on the glass. It certainly keeps me on my toes with maintenance. However, in the bigger tank I might go back to the all black Imaginarium sand I was using in my old 100 gallon in California. It was a great substrate and was a bit more forgiving with detritus. I was using powerheads in that tank that was sweeping the poop to the filters, so I'll add to the current white sand tank and see if that makes it look better. Currently, immediately after a vacuuming I have detritus showing on the bottom of the white sand.

[@mikebarra6828]

I have Severums, Firemouth, several types of Geophagus, electric blue acara, pink rail chacaleus, synodontis catfish, Flagtail Protulotus, Green Terror . Do you think the Vieja is too aggressive. Mine are all in the 4 to 7in range in a 75gal. Will be going to a 230 gal 8x2x2 soon. Thx for the opinions, looking for colorful SA and CA cichlids to add.

[@billyd.8753]

Hi Ben, As you mentioned the light color sand seems to wash out the colors of the Veija's. You may eventually need to move them to a bigger tankk and a darker color substrate to fully bring out their potential colors. But beautiful fish.

[@Cp6uja81]

I have a 176 gallon tank with a lot of drift wood and rocks. In it I keep 3 Angel fish, 1 severum, 1 meeki, 4 blue acaras, 4 rainbow cichlids, 1 chocolate cichlid. Is it possible to add vieja? 1 pair.

[@BenOchart]

They get very large but mellow out when bigger. I’d suggest getting one or 4-6. Two can turn into a battle.

[@ChrisJohnson-ed9bg]

I have a veija synspilum in my 180 my daughter named him (rainbow )

[@kylemoore3928]

Good video but calling it a “Vieja cichlid profile” Is very broad and you only briefly discussed the one species. There is over 8 different types of vieja species (16 if we are classing rare/ wild types that are incredibly hard to get). I’d love to see a follow up part 2 to this video where you break down each individual species and talk about them and include photos of the growth and colouring stages. Othwerwise love the videos mate, keep it up

[@julzzee5976]

Great video. In an American tank would you recommend 1 or 2 of these? In a tank with these species - Electric blue Jack Dempsey - Red shoulder severum - blue acara -firemouth Any advice is appreciated

[@BenOchart]

Yes. You’ll need a big tank after they put on size. I just added a JD to the tank.

[@cichlidtube1777]

Vieja breidohri is another very pretty fish. They are alot harder to come buy than the red head vieja though. I got lucky and got a pair of them and love them.

[@sureshkumar-pt5qo]

Hi Friends, where can i buy good quality fry in Ontario, Canada ? thanks.

[@BenOchart]

Maybe the folks at NorthFin or Piscene Energetics can give you a lead. I think both are based in Canada.

[@sureshkumarsivasubramaniam1895]

@@BenOchart thanks Ben I watch a lots of your videos very informative and calm style

[@ellcolyn8700]

Good day Ben! Beautiful fish. How would they fair in a 300 gallon tank with a frontosa colony?

[@BenOchart]

Temperament and size would be compatible but not having done it I can’t say or sure. Also we’d have to look into water requirements like pH, temp etc to see if there’s a match.

[@RonGallardo777]

I read on the net that viejas redhead are aggressive and some horror stories how yours doing since this video any fish died bc of the viejas?

[@BenOchart]

They’ve been hard on each other but not that interested in the other fish.

[@RonGallardo777]

@@BenOchart I have one is about 9” but when I put a Gold severum of 5” in 2 days almost bite all his fin tail of by 30% so now vieja is for sale 😞

[@MikeVieira]

Hey Ben! Ever keep shell dwellers? I just ordered 11 neo similus! Coming Thursday!

[@BenOchart]

No, but people that have them really love them.

[@MikeVieira]

@@BenOchart yup I'm excited to get them! I have a nice little 29 gallon tank setup just for them!

[@cholispandawa8865]

Iwake apik" pak de

[@gazyg1973]

First 😎

[@davidsantanadejesus1688]

Substrato claro a tendência, é o peixe puxar para um tom mais claro, as vezes quando está assustado tbm, na verdade todos os ciclídeos.

[@ChrisJohnson-ed9bg]

I have a vieja synspilum in my 180 my daughter named him (rainbow )

[@davidsantanadejesus1688]

Mais no caso do vieja ou sinspillum a cor só aparece mais na idade adulta, conforme vai crescendo vai ficando mais viva a cor

[@MisfitReptilesAquatics]

Man i wish my black belts werent so mean ive wanted a south american vieja tank for a while now, no matter what i do my black belt is just utterly viscous lol

[@zacharyshearer1569]

I have the same type of Vieja cichlid she is the same size of the pair that you have have and her name Raven, her tank mates are 3 Blood Parrot cichlid's, Convict cichlid's and 1 female Red Texas cichlid and a somewhat large common pleco.

[@joshhopper6109]

I like how cichlids all have different personalities. Certain fish will tolerate others. Even though my jack dempsey is close to the largest in the tank he doesn't really bother any of the others but he won't put up with the current tank boss trying to chase him. Severums just kind of meander around and mind there own business. Peacocks are always running each other around.

[@richardlewis9007]

❤❤

[@Joker-bx4rk]

I had too come back and watch this video again as one of my lfs has got some In I noticed today.... I had to walk away too consider it if I do it will go into the six foot 180gallon aquarium with my: Parachromis loisellei / friedrichsthalii Green terrors Geophagus tapajos Geophagus surinamensis Jack Dempseys Black valvet angelfish Severums Electric blue acaras Firemouths Blue phantom pleco Bristle nose plecos Stripped Raphael catfish Oscar cichlid I was going to get a pair of Salvini but got the parachromis loisellei / friedrichsthalii instead all round I think it's a better looking fish packed with personally 😅

[@AndrewKilvington]

I believe the ability to change colour is called polymorphism and is a defence mechanism

[@petaaaa5831]

Be careful with these fish, I had one I had to rehome due to it nearly killing my Oscar 10 years ago, I worry for your earth eaters and severums in future.

[@skobiewan3247]

if you like color changing wait till you do discus!!!

[@ernapichry7429]

Poisen zebra snails for tanks in mos do not bay mos

[@avaksaputra]

Mimicry type fish... 🤔🤔🤔

[@ernapichry7429]

Voorzichtig met mos poisent with zebra snails don't bay dem

[@norbertknaak1184]

🤣🤣🤣

[@Davidsmithisyourdad]

Just picked us a few of these and some convicts today

[@squarepharmacy8456]

Ben Which food