All fish / Cichlidae

Cupid Cichlid

Biotodoma cupido

Also known as cupid cichlid, greenstreaked eartheater, green streaked eartheater, biotodoma, cupido cichlid, cupid eartheater, ビオトドマ・クピド, 丘比特短鲷, 丘比特鲷

A slim, deep-bodied South American eartheater with a silvery to golden body, a dark spot below the dorsal fin, a line through the eye and blue-green streaks on the face and fins. It is kept for its subtle iridescent colours and its interesting habit of sifting sand for food, and it is gentler than most cichlids of its size.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

11 cm

Temperature

25 to 30 °C

pH

5 to 7

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more, which then forms pairs

Diet

Omnivore: sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, mysis and small live foods sifted from sand

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Amazon basin and Essequibo drainage: Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Guyana

Breeding

An open substrate spawner that lays eggs on a cleaned stone or in a pit in the sand, with both parents guarding the eggs and fry. Spawning in captivity is possible but not routine, as it needs soft, acidic, very clean water and a well-matched pair.

Good to know

Sensitive to nitrate and poor water quality, so frequent water changes and a fine sand substrate are essential. Pairs can become territorial when breeding; do not confuse it with the larger Geophagus species.