It is the size only of the chanchito that excludes it from the community tank. Adults attain a length of 7 inches and, except at breeding time, they’re not aggressive. Small specimens up to three inches might be included in the community tank.
The body colour is pale brown overlaid with six or seven dark vertical bars. Some specimens also have a dark line running down die lateral line. The iris of the eye is red. The chanchito has a lot to commend it as an introductory species of the Cichlids. It is simple to breed in the standard manner, and also the adults make outstanding parents. Their feeding habits are typical of the Cichlids.