Checkerboard Cichlid

Dicrossus filamentosus

by David Midgley

Species:Dicrossus filamentosus

Synoma: Crenicara filamentosa

Common name:checkerboard cichlid

Origin:South American

Localities: Relatively few - almost exclusively from Columbian Orinoco region.

Maximum size: Not included in profile

Natural habitat:clear (although tanin rich), shallow, moving water (<1m deep) in relatively dense forests.

Natural foods/prey:micropredator, primarly insect larvae.

Water chemistry in the wild:pH: 5.3- 5.5, gH <1, Temp: 28-30 C.

Predators:larger fish/birds etc.

Brood size: ~100 - 200

Breeding method: biparental substrate spawner

Husbandry requirements

Minimum tank size: 60 cm, 80 l

Sex ratio: 1m: 1f

Tolerance of conspecifics:good - in tanks large enough to house multiple pairs

Tolerance of heterospecifics:good.

Water chemistry in aquaria:: pH 4-6, peat filtered water, low in nitrate.

Temperature range: 27-30 C

Foods accepted: unfussy, will accept a variety of live, frozen, flake and pelleted food.

Special requirements:

Water changes should be carried out with religious zeal (at least weekly - possibly more). Denitrifying filters such as denitrating coils or plenums may be useful in keeping this nitrate sensitive species.
Notes

This is without doubt one of the loveliest cichlids I have ever kept. Graceful, intriguing and inquisitive is how I would describe them. They are, however, not for beginners. They are very hard fish to keep well.

I never achieved what I would now consider to be good success with these fish. They are (in my experience at least) inveterate egg eaters - a habit which they will undertake at the slightest stress.

My best sucess was raising a small number of fry in a tank that was very densely planted with Anubias spp., Java moss and Java fern. The plants should be planted in such a way that the spawning site (although they often choose flattened leaves) should only be partially visible and only from 1 side of the tank. I used a sponge filter on this tank along with an aquaclear mini (which was filled with stockings containing peat moss) and it seemed to be adequate. Sexual dimorphism: pronounced, males have a lyre shaped tail, along with blue colouration in the dormal, ventral and anal fins. The face also in the male is also spotted with blue and red, primarily under the eye.

They are a most underrated species and I would recommend them to anyone with a spare 2′ tank who wants to try their hand at something really challenging.

	Checkerboard Cichlid Dicrossus filamentosus by David Midgley Species:Dicrossus filamentosus Synoma: Crenicara filamentosa Common name:checkerboard cichlid Origin:South American Localities: Relatively few - almost exclusively from Columbian Orinoco region. Maximum size: Not included in profile Natural habitat:clear (although tanin rich), shallow, moving water (<1m deep) in relatively dense forests. Natural foods/prey:micropredator, primarly insect larvae. Water chemistry in the wild:pH: 5.3- 5.5, gH <1, Temp: 28-30 C. Predators:larger fish/birds etc. Brood size: ~100 - 200 Breeding method: biparental substrate spawner Husbandry requirements Minimum tank size: 60 cm, 80 l Sex ratio: 1m: 1f Tolerance of conspecifics:good - in tanks large enough to house multiple pairs Tolerance of heterospecifics:good. Water chemistry in aquaria:: pH 4-6, peat filtered water, low in nitrate. Temperature range: 27-30 C Foods accepted: unfussy, will accept a variety of live, frozen, flake and pelleted food. Special requirements: Water changes should be carried out with religious zeal (at least weekly - possibly more). Denitrifying filters such as denitrating coils or plenums may be useful in keeping this nitrate sensitive species. Notes This is without doubt one of the loveliest cichlids I have ever kept. Graceful, intriguing and inquisitive is how I would describe them. They are, however, not for beginners. They are very hard fish to keep well. I never achieved what I would now consider to be good success with these fish. They are (in my experience at least) inveterate egg eaters - a habit which they will undertake at the slightest stress. My best sucess was raising a small number of fry in a tank that was very densely planted with Anubias spp., Java moss and Java fern. The plants should be planted in such a way that the spawning site (although they often choose flattened leaves) should only be partially visible and only from 1 side of the tank. I used a sponge filter on this tank along with an aquaclear mini (which was filled with stockings containing peat moss) and it seemed to be adequate. Sexual dimorphism: pronounced, males have a lyre shaped tail, along with blue colouration in the dormal, ventral and anal fins. The face also in the male is also spotted with blue and red, primarily under the eye. They are a most underrated species and I would recommend them to anyone with a spare 2′ tank who wants to try their hand at something really challenging.	Keeping Cichlids Rare Cichlids Cichlid Names Feeding Cichlids Breeding Cichlids Importable Cichlids Cichlid Hybrids Cichlid Profiles Cichlid Companions --------- New Fish Aquarium Setup Nitrogen Cycle Aquarium Hardness Aquarium Rocks Aquarium Wood Aquarium Plants Non Aquatic Plants Live Food Dyed Fish Freighting Fish Algae --------- DIY Carbon Dioxide DIY Cichlid Food DIY Egg Tumbler DIY Tank Rack DIY Background DIY Fry Nursery DIY Brine Shrimp DIY Alternafix DIY Pot Cave --------- DIY Bucket Filter DIY Simple Filter DIY Trickle Filter DIY UG Filter DIY Fluid Bed Filter DIY Baffle Filter DIY Sponge Filter Corner Filters Filter Carbon FAQ Bio Balls Plenum -------- Aquarium Gallery Resources ---------------------------- US Aquarium & Fish Keeping Products AU Aquarium Product Supplies ----------------------------