Nicaragua - Cichlids From the Crater

Review

by Juan Miguel Artigas Azas, 15-Feb-2006.

This is probably the best freshwater underwater video I have seen. The author spent hundreds of hours filming underwater to achieve this wonderful product, a product which is result of his love for cichlids, particularly Central American cichlids. He learnt to dive and got certified just with the idea of this video on mind. And it was all worth it, as the resulting product is fascinating and certainly widens our mind regarding Central American cichlid behavior and evolution. He managed to bring to our screens such rare and intrincated behaviors like groups of Amphilophus zaliosus coming out of the rocks to hunt for shoals of Atherinids in the open water. The incredible situation we had just heard about, too amazing to believe it, where Hypsophrys nicaraguensis males, help Parachromis dovii females, their natural predators, bringing up their fry in order to make enough Parachromis dovii so their rivals, Neetroplus nematopus, can be predated and more breeding grounds are available for them. I would go on and on with images of this video, but I think it is better that you see if for yourself, get amazed, learn about your loved cichlids and support such quality work by acquiring this DVD.

On the technical matters I can say that the narration is well paced and interesting to listen to, the music well chosen, and the images, as I mentioned before, incredible.

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