Cichlid Biothecus

The cichlid Biotecus, scientific name Biotoecus opercularis, belongs to the family Cichlidae (Cichlids). The fish is native to South America. The natural habitat extends almost to the Amazon basin. For sale in home aquariums, it is mainly exported from Rio Negro from the territory of the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Roraima.

It lives in shallow parts of rivers with a slow current. Prefers regions with many snags, fallen leaves. Water usually has a rich brown hue due to the high concentration of tannins formed as a result of the decomposition of plant organic matter.

Description

Adults grow up to 10 cm. In aquariums, it is noticeably smaller, about 4–5 cm. The fish have an elongated slender body with a large head and disproportionately large eyes. The main color is gray or silver.

Given the vast habitat, there are several geographical forms, somewhat different in body pattern. In one case, the color is monochromatic, in the other, with manifestations of large dark spots or strokes.

Unlike females, males have elongated pelvic and anal fins with pointed tips.

Behavior and Compatibility

Males show a territorial character, occupying a site at the bottom of the aquarium near a potential spawning ground. In small tanks (40–50 liters), it is recommended to keep a male and a female in pairs, or with a predominance of females.

As neighbors, you can settle small fish, such as Nannostomus, Rasbora, Neons, small viviparous species (Pecilia, Guppies), etc.

Brief information:

• The volume of the aquarium – from 40 liters.
• Temperature – 25-30°C
• Value pH — 4.0–6.5
• Water hardness – soft (2-8 dGH)
• Substrate type – sandy
• Lighting – subdued
• Brackish water – no
• Water movement – little or no
• The size of the fish is 4–5 cm.
• Meals – any
• Temperament – peaceful
• Keeping in a pair or group with a predominance of females

Maintenance and care, arrangement of the aquarium

The optimal size of the aquarium for one pair of fish starts from 40 liters. The layout is quite simple. It is necessary to provide soft sandy soil where the fish will dig, and places for shelters. As the latter, you can use heaps of stones and natural snags, forming caves, grottoes, crevices with their help.

A natural addition will be the bark, cones and leaves of some trees, which, in the process of decomposition, will saturate the water with tannins, as happens in nature. Leaves should be updated periodically.

Aquatic plants do not predominate in their natural habitat, but are acceptable in aquariums.

Cichlid Biotecus is demanding on water parameters. For long-term successful keeping, low pH and GH values ​​are essential.

In small tanks, a simple filtration system in the form of an airlift filter may be considered. Such devices are an effective means of biological filtration and do not cause excessive movement of water, which is not very popular with fish.

Food

An omnivorous species, will accept most popular feeds. Live, fresh or frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, etc. are good choices.

Sources: fishbase.de, aquariumglaser.de