Edit Retroculus lapidifer
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Name
Scientific name
Retroculus lapidifer
Described by
Authority Castelnau, Year 1855, Bracketed
Family
Cichlidae
Common names
Not recorded
Photograph credits
All 27 credited
Summary
Retroculus lapidifer is a rheophilic cichlid from the rio Tocantins and Araguaia systems and nearby coastal drainages of northeastern Brazi…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
200mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 210 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm, Water movement High: fast-flowing river or riffle
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 26–32°C, pH 6–8
Hardness
1–12dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Brazil, Araguaia, Capim, Das Mortes, do Coco, Guamá, Gurupi, Itacaiúnas, Maranhão, Parauapebas, Santa Teresa, Tocantins
Writing
Etymology
Retroculus: from the Latin retro, meaning 'back, behind', and oculus, meaning 'eye', in reference to the position of the eye in the posterior portion of the he…
Distribution
Inhabits rivers draining into the Atlantic Ocean in the northeast of the country, south of the Amazon. The majority of records pertain to the rio Tocantins sys…
Habitat
This species is rheophilic and occurs in rapids or fast-flowing stretches of clear water rivers. Such habitats typically contain many boulders of varying sizes…
Aquarium size
An aquarium with a base measuring at least 210 ∗ 60 cm or equivalent is required.
Maintenance
Retroculus spp. are unsuitable for the standard community aquarium, and should be maintained in a set-up designed to resemble a flowing river. The substrate sh…
Water conditions
Temperature: 26 – 32 °C; this species will not thrive in cooler water. pH: 6.0 – 8.0 Hardness: 1 – 12 dGH
Diet
The diet of wild individuals is dominated by benthic aquatic invertebrates, particularly chironomid (midge), trichoptera (caddisfly), and ephemeroptera (Mayfly…
Behaviour and compatibility
Relatively peaceful unless breeding but may predate on smaller tankmates, and best-maintained alongside peaceful pelagic fishes rather than other benthic speci…
Sexual dimorphism
Adult male individuals are noticeably more slender than females, this being most pronounced in the region between ventral and anal fins which is virtually stra…
Reproduction
Biparental substrate-spawner that has been bred in aquaria. There does not appear to be any particular trigger for the reproductive process, with the main requ…
Notes
This species is available in the ornamental trade on a sporadic basis. It can be distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: dorsa…
References
References
11 on this profile