Edit Etroplus canarensis

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Name

Scientific name

Etroplus canarensis

Described by

Authority Day, Year 1877

Family

Cichlidae

Common names

Canara Pearlspot Cichlid

Photograph credits

All 10 credited

Summary

The Canara pearlspot cichlid, Etroplus canarensis, appears to be endemic to the Kumaradhara-Netravati river system in southern Karnataka, I…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

110mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 22–32°C, pH 6–7.5

Hardness

1–10dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

India, Kumaradhara, Netravati

Writing

Etymology

Etroplus: from the Ancient Greek ἦτρον (etron), meaning 'belly, lower abdomen', and ὅπλον (hoplon), meaning 'weapon, armour', in reference to the prominent spi…

Distribution

Appears locally endemic to southern Karnataka state, southwestern India where it's known only from the Kumaradhara-Netravati river system. It can be found in b…

Habitat

This species occurs exclusively in oxygen-rich fresh water with the downstream limit of its range appearing to be approximately 50 km from the mouth of the Net…

This species occurs exclusively in oxygen-rich fresh water with the downstream limit of its range appearing to be approximately 50 km from the mouth of the Netravati, below which point it is replaced by the euryhaline congener E. suratensis and by Pseudetroplus maculatus.

Its habitats are highly-seasonal in nature with annual monsoons bringing about severe increases in water depth, flow-rate and turbidity.

At one locality in the Netravati River the water was quite clear and flowing gently over a rocky substrate during the dry season.

Altitude was around 140 m AMSL, pH 6.5, tds 50 ppm, conductivity 94 µS, GH 2.0 and KH 2.0 with a temperature of 32.6 °C91 °F at midday.

Sympatric fish species included Puntius mahecola, Haludaria fasciata, Garra mullya, Mesonoemacheilus triangularis, Devario malabaricus, Esomus danricus, Parambassis wolffii, Carinotetraodon travancoricus, Rasbora daniconius, Opsarius gatensis, Hypselobarbus jerdoni, and Hyporhamphus limbatus.

In the Kumaradhara basin it was recorded at a spot where altitude was 150 m AMSL, pH 6.5, tds 40 ppm, conductivity 85 µS, GH 2.0 and KH 2.0 with a temperature of 33.1 °C92 °F at 1800 h.

The substrate was mainly composed of small rocks and leaf litter with some tree roots projecting into the water along one margin while other fishes included Puntius mahecola, Pristolepis marginata, Garra mullya, Devario malabaricus, Carinotetraodon travancoricus, Rasbora daniconius, and Opsarius gatensis.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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Aquarium size

An aquarium with base dimensions of 120 ∗ 45 cm or equivalent should be the smallest considered for long-term care.

Maintenance

Should ideally be maintained in an aquarium set up to resemble a flowing stream or river with a substrate of variably-sized, water-worn rocks, sand, fine grave…

Water conditions

Temperature: 22 – 32 °C; a value around the middle of this range is suggested for general care although a degree of seasonal variation is advisable (see 'Repro…

Diet

Observations of wild fish suggest it to be something of a generalist with a tendency to graze aufwuchs and filamentous algae from solid surfaces. In the aquari…

Behaviour and compatibility

Unless breeding this species is relatively peaceful and will not predate on any but the smallest fishes. Pelagic cyprinids which occur alongside it in the wild…

Sexual dimorphism

Adult males tend to be a little larger and slightly heavier in build than females.

Reproduction

This species is a biparental substrate spawner which forms weak, temporary pair bonds during the reproductive period. Sexual maturity appears to be reached at …

Notes

E. canarensis is also known as the banded chromide or 'roman numeral' cichlid in the aquarium hobby. There have been concerns over its natural status due to un…

References

7 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References