Genus
Etroplus
- Species
- 2
- Photographed
- 2 of 2
- Difficulty rated
- 2 of 2
Where the name comes fromEdit
from the Ancient Greek ἦτρον (etron), meaning 'belly, lower abdomen', and ὅπλον (hoplon), meaning 'weapon, armour', in reference to the prominent spinous anal-fin rays in members of the genus.
Etroplus canarensisCanara Pearlspot Cichlid
Day, 1877
The Canara pearlspot cichlid, Etroplus canarensis, appears to be endemic to the Kumaradhara-Netravati river system in southern Karnataka, India. Also known as the banded chromide or 'roman numeral' cichlid, it lives only in oxygen-rich fresh water, unlike its euryhaline relatives. Unmanaged collection raised concerns over its status, and commercial breeding in Southeast Asia has since reduced the pressure on wild stocks. Sexual maturity takes around 24 months.
Etroplus suratensisGreen Chromide
Bloch, 1790
The green chromide, Etroplus suratensis, is a euryhaline cichlid from peninsular India and Sri Lanka, growing to 350 mm SL. It mostly inhabits brackish estuaries, coastal lagoons and lower river reaches. Not especially popular in the hobby, it is an important food fish, and some populations have crashed through over-exploitation. In Sri Lanka's Negombo Lagoon Pseudetroplus maculatus has been seen acting as its cleaner while also eating its eggs and fry.