长丝双缨丽鱼 · Lyretail Checkerboard Cichlid

Overview

The shy lyretail checkerboard cichlid, Dicrossus filamentosus, is best accommodated in a quiet, shaded aquarium with extensive cover. Successful captive breeding is possible, but achieving and maintaining suitable soft acidic water matters more than simply obtaining eggs.

Distribution & habitat

Its range includes Colombian and Venezuelan waters from the Inirida River toward Maripa and the Orinoco system, as well as parts of Brazil's Negro River.

Aquarium setup

Combine dense planting with scattered leaves and numerous retreats. Floating growth helps reduce illumination. Fish commonly remain close to the bottom among this cover. Conditions tolerated in routine maintenance should not be confused with the much softer, more acidic water needed for reproduction. Water quality must remain high.

Diet & feeding

Acceptance of prepared food is possible rather than assured. If sinking cichlid pellets are taken, a good preparation can serve as a staple alongside vegetable or spirulina flakes and varied frozen items. Live foods are particularly useful for conditioning prospective breeders; a culture of water fleas provides a convenient supply.

Behaviour & compatibility

Peaceful companions with compatible needs are appropriate. More aggressive fishes can overwhelm it, so provide a calm community and watch for persistent displacement.

Sexual dimorphism

Males are a little larger and develop the characteristic extended outer tail rays. Females have a rounded tail and more subdued coloration.

Breeding

Aquarium reproduction has been achieved, although getting eggs to hatch can be difficult. Very soft acidic water and excellent cleanliness are central requirements. Reverse-osmosis water may be needed when the available supply is unsuitable. Spawning should be treated as an intermediate stage rather than evidence that the full breeding process has succeeded.