The BIG and BEAUTIFUL VIEJA CICHLID - CICHLID PROFILE #1

#viejacichlid
#centralamericancichlid
#southamericancichlid
#newworldcichlid
#cichlid
#benochart

The Vieja ("old lady" in Spanish) Synspilum (Vieja melanura), also known as a Firehead or Redhead cichlid is fast becoming one of my favorites. In this video I profile this big and beautiful fish, native to Central America (Mexico, Belize and Guatemala) which gets quite large and displays an amazing color combination. In some ways they are like Oscars. But in other ways very different from Oscars.

Let's get into to it here in my first installment of the “Cichlid Profile Series” in which I will get into the details of the Central American, South American and New World Cichlids that I am now keeping, along with my collection of African Cichlids.

Have you kept Vieja cichlids? Share your tips and experience in the comments below. I'm learning quite a bit as I go along and a lot of it is from those of you kind enough to share your knowledge in the comment section below. "Always be learning!"

Some of you have been kind enough to ask how you can help me in my efforts to continue getting out content. Well, just by being here watching my videos you are supporting the channel and you doing so is very appreciated. If you would like to take it a step further then hit that notification bell, subscribe and give the video a thumbs up. This tells YT that you are enjoying the content and encourages YT to recommend the channel to other fish keepers.
Want to do even more? Then use this link the next time you visist Amazon: www.amazon.com/shop/benochart
When you use this link anything you buy from my Amazon store, or any qualified product anywhere on Amazon, pays a small percentage to the channel. Your cost does not change, so it's a win-win for both of us!
Another thing you can do is visit the Teespring store listed under every one of my videos. The store stocks coffee mugs, tee's, hoodies and other merchandise with channel logo and and some of my favorite fish printed on them. You can go directly to my Teespring store by using this address: www.teespring.com/stores/ben-ocharts-store
Don't forget to use the code "LIVESTREAM" for a 10% discount at check-out!
Last, you can join me and a lot of awesome fish keepers for the Cichlids & Coffee live stream on Saturdays and while there you can do a thing called a "Super Chat" which allows you to throw a little cash at the channel.

Whether or not you can or can't do any of these, you are still GREATLY appreciated!

For more fish keeping videos with tricks, tips and hacks, check out these playlists:
For "My Best Fish Keeping Tips" click here:
   • "Best Fish Keeping Tips" Videos from Ben O...  
For tips and tricks with Fluval FX canister filters go here:
   • Fluval FX Canister Filter Playlist - Tips,...  
For tips and tricks with SunSun canister filters go here:
   • SunSun Canister Filter Reviews and Tips, H...  
For videos on water changes and controlling nitrates, click here:
   • Water Change, Maintaining the Best Water Q...  
For videos on general canister filter maintenance, click here:
   • Aquarium Canister Filter Maintenance, Tips...  
My Top 10 most popular videos of all time:
   • Most Popular Videos with Over 100k Views!  

For previews of future videos and a look behind the scenes, follow me on Instagram at: ben.o.cichlid.

Did you know that there's a friendly and helpful fish keeping group on Facebook called: "Ben O'Cichlid"? Cichlid is in the name but all fish keepers are welcome! If you're on FB, check it out. If you would like to join the group please be sure to answer ALL the join-in questions so that the admins approve your request (it's how we keep the trolls out).

NOTE: The Cichlids & Coffee live streams are back! Please note that they are now starting at 11am CENTRAL TIME. That's 9am Pacific, Noon Eastern. I think live streams are a lot of fun, informative and always includes a great bunch of fish keepers. I hope to see you there!

A big thank you to key channel vendors like EliteCichlids.com (beautiful artificial plants), underwatergalleries.net (the best ceramic aquarium caves), Xpertmatic filters and air pumps (available in my Amazon store) and to my channel sponsor: THE CICHLID SHACK at: thecichlidshack.com (use code "shackattack10" for a 10% discount at check-out).

Shout-outs to Christopher Martin for the Cichlids & Coffee logo, to Sam Penny for the YT channel banner art and to Phil Griffiths for the dropping fish video, for putting Sam's artwork in the surf and for the channel icon!

Never forget - you reading this right now - YOU ROCK!!