Edit Aequidens tetramerus
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Name
Scientific name
Aequidens tetramerus
Described by
Authority Heckel, Year 1840, Bracketed
Family
Cichlidae
Common names
Saddle Cichlid, Grünglanzbuntbarsch
Photograph credits
All 3 credited
Summary
The saddle cichlid, Aequidens tetramerus, is a cichlid found across much of northern South America, from the Amazon and Orinoco basins to t…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
162mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Not recorded
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 24–27°C, pH 4.5–7.5
Hardness
1–20dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Territorial
Social needs
Not recorded
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela, Amazon, Apure, Araguaia, Arari, Barama, Branco, Carapo, Corantijn, Courantyne, Essequibo, Guaporé, Iaco, Içá, Itaya, Madeira, Marituba, Mazaruni, Meta, Nanay, Napo, Negro, Oiapoque, Orinoco, Orteguaza, Oyapock, Parnaíba, Pastaza, Putumayo, Rupununi, Solimões, Tapajós, Tocantins, Ucayali, Xingu, Yavarí
Writing
Etymology
Aequidens: from the Latin aequus, meaning 'same, equal' and dens, meaning 'teeth', in reference to the identically-sized teeth of type species A. tetramerus. T…
Distribution
Described from the rio Branco in northern Brazil but as currently recognised is widely-distributed throughout much of northern South America including the Amaz…
Habitat
This species is essentially a habitat generalist exhibiting a preference for biotopes containing slow-moving or still water with well-structured substrates inc…
Aquarium size
A tank with base dimensions of 120 cm x 45 cm should be the smallest considered and something significantly larger is likely to be required should you wish to …
Maintenance
Ideally a soft, sandy substrate should be employed though it is not essential. Additional furnishings are as much a case of personal taste as anything else but…
Water conditions
Temperature: 24 – 27 °C pH: 4.5 – 7.5 depending on collection locality. Wild specimens collected from black water regions may require acidic water on a mandato…
Diet
Omnivorous but the diet of wild specimens is apparently dominated by invertebrates. In the aquarium offer good quality, sinking dry foods as staple alongside r…
Behaviour and compatibility
Males are territorial, particularly when spawning, while very small tankmates may be predated upon. Can be maintained alongside other cichlids provided there i…
Sexual dimorphism
Males grow larger than females and usually develop extensions to the unpaired fins as they mature. When in spawning condition they are also much the more colou…
Reproduction
Biparental substrate spawner and relatively simple to breed. The most proven method is to buy a group of 6 or more young specimens to be grown on together, rem…
Notes
This is the type species of the genus Aequidens and has the widest distribution of any member species. It exists in various colour forms depending on locality …
References
References
4 on this profile