Scientific name: Dicrossus Filamentosus
Ranges through Colombia and Venezuela, from the Rio InÃrida to Maripa and in the Rio Orinoco. It’s also found in parts of the Brazilian Rio Negro.
Checkerboard Cichlids are very shy fish, often “hugging” the bottom of the tank amongst plants and scattered leaves. Provide a well planted aquarium with a great number of hiding places. Floating plants are also an excellent option. Dim lighting is recommended.
Difficulty in keeping: Hard
Maximum size: 7-8cm Males 5-6cm Females
Selling size: 4-5 cm and above
Temperature: 24 – 28 °C (25°C preferred)
pH: 4.5-6.5 Our fish are bred and grown at a ph between 4.5 and 7.5
Diet: Primarily carnivorous and apparently feeds mostly on benthic invertebrates in nature. In the aquarium live and frozen foods such as Brine shrimp, Daphnia and Grindal worms should be offered regularly although most specimens will also learn to accept dried alternatives with pelleted products generally preferred to flake.
Disclaimer: Photos are taken of our own fish and usually the breeding parents, photos are for reference only and actual fish you will receive might slightly vary.
Customer Reviews
I'm writing this a week after receiving this special species that I've wanted to raise to maturity for a long time. I was sent a message by Aust Post too late to pick them up on the day and spent a night worrying about them in the package at the post office. They were well packed however and arrived in great condition, with a piece of susswassertang. They were young, as expected, but very healthy. I introduced them into a blackwater tank with layers of leaves that I'd prepared 6 weeks back just for them. A week later, I'm happy to say all 6 are healthy and happily exploring the leaves, even the smallest which I hope will be a female. Thanks Mats. I was going to ask if you know the provenance of the parents, in case they do breed in future.
I purchased 5 young Dicrossus Filamentosus, not only did they all arrive alive and healthy but I also received an extra fish! They have now settled in and look amazing. Im very happy with my purchase and would shop here again!