Edit Biotodoma cupido
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Name
Scientific name
Biotodoma cupido
Described by
Authority Heckel, Year 1840, Bracketed
Family
Cichlidae
Common names
Cupid Cichlid
Photograph credits
All 18 credited
Summary
The cupid cichlid, Biotodoma cupido, is a geophagine cichlid from much of the Amazon basin, north to the Essequibo in Guyana and south to B…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
100mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 150 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 20–30°C, pH 5–7
Hardness
1–5dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Community-safe
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Bolivia, Brazil, Guyana, Peru, Amazon, Essequibo, Guaporé, Madeira, Mamore, Negro, Tocantins
Writing
Etymology
Biotodoma: from the Greek 'βίοτος', meaning 'living', and 'δῶμα', meaning 'house', in allusion to the adults carrying fry in their gills. This behaviour is not…
Distribution
Recorded throughout much of the Amazon basin, with its range extending eastwards from the Ucayali system in Peru as far as the Tocantins drainage which flows i…
Habitat
Given the extent of its natural range this species is likely to be something of a habitat generalist, though torrential conditions are probably avoided. Many o…
Aquarium size
Base dimensions of 150 ∗ 45 cm or more are recommended.
Maintenance
Ideally a soft, sandy substrate should be used since members of this genus are largely benthophagous. Additional décor is largely a case of personal taste, but…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
The diet should contain a variety of high quality, fine-grade prepared foods plus live or frozen chironomid larvae (bloodworm), Tubifex, Artemia, mosquito larv…
Behaviour and compatibility
Unless breeding this species is surprisingly peaceful and will not predate on fishes larger than a few mm in length. Suitable tankmates are therefore too numer…
Sexual dimorphism
Several authors have suggested that the sexes are distinguishable by the pattern of laterally-orientated, iridescent blue markings which extend from beneath th…
Reproduction
This species is a biparental substrate spawner preferring to lay its eggs on rocks which are partially-buried in the substrate. Sexual maturity appears to be r…
Notes
In the aquarium trade this species is also known by the alternative name of 'green-streaked eartheater'. The form from Santarém which is normally traded as B. …
References
References
5 on this profile