Edit Retroculus xinguensis
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Name
Scientific name
Retroculus xinguensis
Described by
Authority Gosse, Year 1971
Family
Cichlidae
Common names
Not recorded
Photograph credits
All 11 credited
Summary
Retroculus xinguensis is a rheophilic cichlid from the rio Xingu basin in Brazil, with a handful of records from the Tapajós drainage. It o…
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, Amazon, Arapiuns, Iriri, Jamanxim, Tapajós, Xingu
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
The precise extent of this species' range is unclear. The majority of records pertain to the lower rio Xingu basin in the state of Pará, northern Brazil, inclu…
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 natural diet of R. xinguensis is dominated by benthic aquatic invertebrates, particularly chironomid (midge), trichoptera (caddisfly), and ephemeroptera (M…
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
12 on this profile