Remarks: The Atromaculatus cichlid is an uncommon South American cichlid native to coastal drainages in Columbia. Unlike other fish within their genus such as festaes, they are typically fairly docile for a cichlid as long as their territory is not intruded on and the fish in question isn't small enough to be swallowed. Usually they will alter the space they consider their territory, digging in the sand and rearranging objects to their liking. The Atromaculatus cichlid is best kept in male-female pairs as males tend to fight if kept in the same space. Once a pair has formed, they will spawn on a flat surface with the female doing most of the guarding of eggs and fry. With how uncommon they are within the hobby, we encourage anyone getting these fish to attempt to breed them.

  Upon maturity and if in the right conditions, these fish get bright yellow coloration on their gill plates and sometimes along their backs. Their fins also gain a yellow or orange color, some even getting an iridescent blue spot in the dorsal fin as well, that looks nice against their silver bodies and black markings. Dominant males when in breeding dress will display a nice red belly with that coloration rising up toward the lateral line. With such coloration and a somewhat more docile personality, If given enough territory, Atromaculatus cichlids can be excellent additions to a large, South American cichlid tank or in a species only tank.