Nuchal

Auchenipterus nuchalis
Family: Auchenipteridae
Origin: South America
Adult Size: 5 inches (15 cm)
Social: Peaceful, but will eat small fish
Lifespan: 8 years
Tank Level: All levels
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallon ...

Nuchal Hump: An enlarged forehead on male Cichlids.
Nudibranchs: Soft-bodies, gastropod mollusks; sea slugs.

Nuchal Hump: An enlarged forehead on males cichlids.
Operculum: A hard, bony plate which covers the gills.

Nuchal Hump
Encyclopedia 1.0 by Rebecca Smallwood
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Description: The Flowerhorn Cichlid has a very thick oval body with a nuchal hump on the head. Its scales can range from a bluish green metallic overall, to pinks and reds in the front half of the body.

Females can attain noticeable nuchal humps, although can be confusing when young, they never attain humps that rival males when mature. They will start off slow like most fish and can work up in numbers to almost a 100 per spawn.

Beyond the fact that differences in the shape of fins are clearly visible (they are reported to be - along with nuchal humps, size, and differences in colours - sexual distinctive characteristics) another remarkable point to look at is the, so called, ...

The reference to 'dolphin' in its name is related to the nuchal hump on its head and the shape of its mouth.

Older male Peacock Bass have a large nuchal hump, and other than this characteristic, the sexes can only be differentiated during the spawning act.

I am not a huge fan of cichlids with large nuchal humps, but Red Devils are one of my few exceptions.

The nickname Blue Dolphin originates from the shape of its head - a nuchal hump and bill-like mouth - which resembles that of a dolphin. This fish is quite rare in Lake Malawi, although it has a very wide distribution.

Males tend to have a larger nuchal hump on the forehead, but older females will also possess a hump. Males will tend to be larger and provide other clues via their behaviour. However, this will not be much help in initially selecting juveniles.

Males grow slightly larger and may grow a small nuchal hump. Males are usually a more icy blue color with possible shades of green. Once mature, the male can display a red coloration in the dorsal fin and tail.

The species also develops a nuchal hump that more pronounced in older specimens. C. frontosa is a sexually monomorphic species, although the hump is occasionally more pronounced in males.

labiatus has a narrower head and a smaller nuchal hump than A. citrinellus. To make it more confusing, there are also hybrids of these two species. Most tank-raised specimens are A. labiatus.

For instance, most breeders are striving to produce Flower Horn with bigger nuchal hump on the forehead, better coloration, bolder black marking on the body (which at times resembles Chinese characters), more elegant fins, and wider body.

Flowerhorns are quite desirable, especially in the Far East, and large males with large nuchal humps can be exceptionally pricey.
Blood Parrot Cichlid - exact crosses unknown, often are not fertile, but fertile BP's are becoming more common.

These diabolical cichlids can reach a maximum length of 30 cm. The Midas cichlid will develop the nuchal hump (usually with breeding males), a blunter head shape, and a stout, thick body. They're equally nasty and will grow up to 35 cm.

SEX: At two inches (5 cm) males begin to develop their large nuchal humps that cover their entire forehead. Males are also larger and more colorful.
B : Use neutral water with a hardness from 8-12 dH, and a water temperature from 75-81°F(24-27°C).

Males develop a large nuchal hump with age and they have charming blue eyes.
Pseudocrenilabrus nicholsi and P.

See also: Fish, Nuchal Hump, Cichlid, Cichlids, Water